The Labor candidate for Farrer has stood down from the election race two weeks out from the big day after reports linked him to a controversial Islamic group.
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A statement was released before 5am on Monday, on behalf of Christian Kunde, announcing his resignation.
The move follows an article by News Limited linking Mr Kunde to senior spokesman of the Australian branch of controversial group Hizb ut-Tahrir, Uthman Badar.
In his statement Mr Kunde said he was sorry to leave the campaign but he didn’t want an “ongoing argument between the Murdoch press and I to distract from the National Campaign”.
“I am not homophobic and I believe in Australian democracy. I disagree with the way my comments are being reported, in fact this distortion is exactly what I have warned about,” Mr Kunde said.
“However, after consideration and consultation with my family I have opted to stand aside as an endorsed Labor representative as I do not wish to distract from Labor’s federal campaign.”