Facebook folly ends Vic candidate's hopes

A Liberal candidate at November's Victorian election has quit in disgrace over offensive social media posts.

Jack Lyons resigned as the Liberal candidate for Bendigo West on Monday night after the media reported he had made racist and sexist social posts on his Facebook page.

The resignation came after the Liberal Party's western region candidate Aaron Lane stepped down last week over crude tweets.

Lyons, a former publican, defended the comments, by saying they were jokes and he hoped they did not offend anyone, News Limited reported, including one that described a woman's hair as “part of the blur above where her t--- are”.

“They’re jokes, mate. I can’t help what’s there. I hope I haven’t offended anyone," he said.

“I don’t think I have. I’m a normal Aussie living life and enjoying it.”

The Victorian Liberal Party seems to have removed former candidate Jack Lyons's page from the website. Photo: Supplied.

According to reports, in another post Mr Lyons mocked poverty in Africa.

In a further post, according to News Ltd, he promoted the six great kings: Drin-King, F***King, Lic-King, Span-King, Suc-King and Wan-King.

"I've got that one on a t-shirt," he told News Ltd.

He also made racist remarks about Bendigo's Chinese golden dragon museum.

A statement from Mr Lyons' father, Mayor Barry Lyons, said:

"Jack's actions have cut short his political career. His comments and actions are not defendable."

In a statement, Liberal Party state director Damien Mantach said Mr Lyons had withdrawn his candidacy.

“His comments were written as jokes and were posted in a closed Facebook page some years before he became a member of the Liberal Party,” he said.

“However, Mr Lyons acknowledges the comments are juvenile and offensive. He has apologised unreservedly.”

MP Amanda Millar and former candidate Jack Lyons. Photo: Twitter.

But the opposition says the government must explain how Mr Lyons came to be preselected.

Deputy opposition leader James Merlino said Mr Lyons' comments were not "jokes" and were unacceptable.

"(Premier) Denis Napthine has to explain how this person ever got preselected for the Liberal Party," Mr Merlino told Fairfax radio on Tuesday.

Dr Napthine said a new Liberal candidate would be selected for Bendigo West.

"We'll continue to work hard in all our seats right across Victoria," Dr Napthine told reporters.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy said controversies happened in both major parties.

"There's always periods where you'll have a candidate who may not proceed to the state election, Labor's had four of them, there's two now for the Liberal party," Mr Guy told Fairfax radio.

"So these things are certainly unfortunate but obviously Jack Lyons has apologised for the comments he's made and we'll move on as a party."