A One Nation branch official in Queensland has been exposed for posting deeply offensive and racist language about Aboriginal people and migrants, as well as defending the Hitler Youth organisation. John Drew, who claims he was previously expelled from One Nation for being 'too radical', now serves as a policy development officer for the party's Ryan branch in Brisbane.
Racist and Offensive Posts
Guardian Australia has uncovered numerous posts on Drew's Facebook account where he uses racist slurs and makes derogatory statements. He referred to Aboriginal people as 'rapacious bludgers and grifters', 'ghastly boongs', and 'stone age people'. In one post, he claimed that 'at least fifty percent of aborigines are mentally ill'. He also called Olympian Cathy Freeman an 'aboriginal flog' and said that 'country people have had enough of rapacious aborigines'.
In 2022, Drew wrote that he was working on a film script about historical events on North Stradbroke Island, where soldiers fought 'the vile savages causing problems'. He described it as 'an action movie which shows aborigines being shot and killed'.
Defence of Hitler Youth and White Australia Policy
Drew also defended the Hitler Youth, stating that it 'mainly encouraged young Germans to lead a healthier lifestyle by stressing outdoor activities'. He praised the White Australia policy as 'fabulous' and lamented its abandonment, saying it led to 'failed multicultural government policies'.
He has made numerous racist comments about ethnic minorities, calling Labor MP Sally Sitou a 'sad ethnic lady', Senator Mehreen Faruqi a 'foreign nutter', and repeating Hanson's call for Faruqi to 'piss off back to Pakistan'. He also referred to Muslims as 'Islamic scum' and called for 'Indians to go back to India'.
One Nation's Vetting Process Questioned
One Nation has claimed to have a sophisticated vetting tool called Operation Obsidian to screen candidates and officials. However, Drew's role as a branch official raises questions about the effectiveness of this process. The party's general manager, Kelvin Morton, said Operation Obsidian would apply to 'how we vet and assess candidates, employees, and anybody that takes up a role within One Nation'.
Pauline Hanson has previously stated that the party has shut down four branches due to infiltration by far-right extremists. She said, 'I'm being infiltrated by these extremists, so it's all the time happening with One Nation, they set us up all the time, and I've really had enough of it.'
Drew's History with One Nation
Drew ran for One Nation in the seat of Ryan in 2001 but was reportedly dumped for being too radical. He later joined the Australia First party and was involved with the Patriotic Youth League, which had links to a US neo-Nazi organisation. He now claims to have been a One Nation branch official since late last year and has been active in promoting the party's membership and merchandise sales.
When contacted by Guardian Australia, Drew confirmed his role but refused to answer further questions, telling the reporter to 'go and annoy someone else' and 'find a sensible job'. One Nation declined to comment on the matter.
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