One Nation Removes Candidate Amid UK Arrest Warrant Allegations
The right-wing One Nation party has swiftly removed Aoi Baxter as its candidate for the state seat of Adelaide in the South Australian election. This decisive action follows explosive media reports alleging an outstanding arrest warrant for Baxter in the United Kingdom. The party confirmed the candidate's dismissal in an official statement released on Friday, just one day before the crucial state election.
Warrant Details and Party Response
According to detailed reporting by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), a UK court confirmed that an arrest warrant had been issued for a man named Trent Baxter, who is reportedly the former identity of Aoi Baxter. The warrant relates to allegations that Baxter failed to appear at a scheduled court hearing. The ABC further reported that Baxter was charged in September 2023 with the offence of sexually touching a woman without her consent.
In their statement to media outlets, One Nation revealed that Baxter had not disclosed the existence of this warrant during the candidate vetting process. The party emphasised that it conducts nationwide police checks on all prospective candidates, but stated that this specific issue was not uncovered during their standard screening procedures. "Mr Baxter is no longer a One Nation candidate as a result of this news," the party declared unequivocally.
Election Eve Fallout and Political Context
The revelation has sent shockwaves through the South Australian political landscape on the eve of the state election. One Nation has been experiencing a notable surge in popularity, complicating the electoral calculus. In a significant development, the Liberal Party announced it would direct its preferences to One Nation candidates, despite the minor party opting for open tickets on their how-to-vote cards.
The timing of this scandal could not be more critical, potentially impacting voter perceptions at the last minute. One Nation has pledged to "cooperate fully with law enforcement" regarding the matter and noted that attempts to contact Baxter directly have been unsuccessful since the news broke.
Candidate Profile and Digital Erasure
Prior to his removal, Aoi Baxter was presented as a candidate bringing "real-world experience to politics". His now-removed profile on the One Nation website highlighted his background, which included service in the Australian Defence Force, involvement in small business operations, and volunteer work with organisations such as Rotary, Disaster Relief Australia, and the Movember campaign.
Baxter's digital footprint has been rapidly scrubbed. His candidate page on the One Nation website now displays a generic error message. His social media and LinkedIn profiles identify him as a "creative director" for Aoi Studio. Baxter had been a late addition to the One Nation ticket, having reportedly relocated to North Adelaide only in mid-2025, which had already drawn media attention before these latest allegations surfaced.
The party's swift disavowal of Baxter underscores the high-stakes environment of the impending election and the severe reputational damage such allegations can cause. The situation remains fluid, with law enforcement implications extending beyond Australia's borders.
