One Nation Candidate Chris Moore Apologizes for Offensive Comments 2026

One Nation Victoria candidate Chris Moore has apologized for a series of offensive comments he made on social media between 2010 and 2012, including repeated references to Australian-Indians as “curry munchers,” comparing a woman in a burqa to a bag of rubbish, and sharing an image calling former Prime Minister Julia Gillard a slut. The candidate for Greenvale, on Melbourne’s north-western fringe, also made derogatory remarks about lesbians and refugees. The controversy raises questions about candidate vetting and the accountability of political parties in Australia.

Who is Chris Moore and what did he say?

Chris Moore is the One Nation candidate for the Victorian seat of Greenvale. The offensive posts were made on his personal Facebook page between 2010 and 2012, when he was in his late teens or early twenties. They came to light recently, prompting Moore to issue a statement to Guardian Australia.

Among the posts, Moore shared a picture of a woman and a child wearing burqas, standing between two full plastic rubbish bags, with the caption “Haha spot the difference.” He also shared an image of Julia Gillard with the caption “smash my box Alf!” and another with the text “If I wanted a greasy red box I’d go to KFC ya slut.” In addition, he posted that he “doesn’t like the way the new homo cleaner at work looks at me” and made derogatory comments about lesbians and refugees.

Moore’s apology and defense

In his statement, Moore described the posts as “unthoughtful posts I shared as a young man among close friends.” He added: “They don’t reflect who I am today.” Moore said he is now focused on “doing the right thing by the voters of Greenvale, and giving them a strong voice in the Victorian Parliament.”

The apology has been criticized for being vague and for not directly addressing the specific nature of the comments. Moore did not elaborate on how his views have changed or what he has done to educate himself since making the posts.

One Nation’s response

One Nation Victoria has not disendorsed Moore over the comments. The party has not issued a public statement beyond confirming that Moore remains its candidate. This decision aligns with One Nation’s history of standing by candidates who have made controversial statements, though it may raise concerns among voters about the party’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The party’s leader, Pauline Hanson, has not commented publicly on the matter. The lack of disciplinary action suggests that One Nation is willing to tolerate such behavior from its candidates, which could alienate moderate voters.

Why this matters: the bigger picture

This incident is part of a broader pattern of offensive social media posts by political candidates being exposed. In the digital age, old posts can resurface and derail campaigns. It highlights the need for parties to thoroughly vet candidates and for individuals to be mindful of their online footprint.

The comments also touch on sensitive issues related to race, religion, sexuality, and gender, which are particularly relevant in multicultural Australia. The use of racial slurs and derogatory language can cause real harm to affected communities and undermine social cohesion.

Key takeaways

• Chris Moore, One Nation candidate for Greenvale, apologized for offensive Facebook posts made between 2010 and 2012.
• The posts included racial slurs against Australian-Indians, derogatory comments about lesbians and refugees, and misogynistic remarks about Julia Gillard.
• One Nation Victoria has not disendorsed Moore, indicating the party’s tolerance for such behavior.
• The controversy raises questions about candidate vetting and the consequences of old social media posts.
• The incident may affect One Nation’s appeal to moderate voters in Victoria.

Comparison of responses to offensive comments by public figures

What to watch next

As the Victorian election approaches, scrutiny of candidates’ past statements is likely to intensify. Voters will be watching to see if One Nation takes any further action against Moore or if other parties use this incident to attack the party’s credibility. The response from the community and other political leaders will also be telling. The background to this story is set out in Pauline Hanson Apologizes for Indigenous Australians Remarks. A related thread runs through Gina Rinehart Legal Action Against ABC Over Offensive Comments. Earlier coverage in Lambie: Hanson Hasn't Apologized Personally for Mocking Cartoon shows how the argument developed.

For a broader look at how public figures handle controversies, see the legal action taken by Gina Rinehart against the ABC over offensive comments. Similarly, Grace Tame’s apology for her Israeli rape comments offers a case study in public accountability. And in the corporate world, Virgin Australia’s apology to a disability advocate over wheelchair handling shows how organizations respond to criticism. A closer look at the same subject appears in Pauline Hanson’s Comments Spark Political Firestorm in Australia. Anyone following the wider picture can start with One Nation Threatens Nationals in Regional Victoria. The same theme surfaces in Victoria 2026 Election: What Voters Need to Know, which takes a different angle.

These cases illustrate the varying approaches to addressing offensive behavior. While some figures face legal battles, others issue apologies and move on. The public’s reaction often depends on the severity of the comments and the sincerity of the response. Context on how this played out before sits in Pauline Hanson's Domestic Violence Comments: No Gaffe, a. A companion piece, Pauline Hanson Domestic Violence Comments: A Deliberate Strategy, approaches the same subject from another angle.