Trumpet of Patriots candidate withdraws after teal independent placed second how-to-vote card

Flinders candidate Jason Smart has now told voters to "put me last".

Trumpet of Patriots has lost one of its candidates, days after a controversy emerged over the party's preference recommendations on its how-to-vote cards.

Jason Smart, who's running in the Liberal-held seat of Flinders in Victoria, this morning said he had resigned over the party's decision to place Ben Smith, a Climate 200-endorsed independent, second on the how-to-vote card.

Smart, who will still appear on the ballot as candidate nominations have closed, says he is also encouraging other TOP candidate to withdraw.

"My wife and I have been sitting here at home in utter disbelief since Friday morning", Smart said of the how-to-vote card.

In a media release, Smart said that "when he was approached by Clive Palmer to be the candidate for Flinders, he spoke to [Clive Palmer' about not only his disdain for the Teals Party, but his desire to see the Liberals win government with the Freedom parties gaining seats in the lower house and in the senate".

"I was given an undertaking by Clive Palmer and the Trumpet of Patriots that if I ran as a candidate for them, that the Teal/Labor/Greens candidates would be last on the HTV card...I only agreed to run on that basis".

Smart said that "whilst campaigning on behalf of TOP over the last month, he had amassed support by constituents on the basis of him putting Ben Smith last on his ballot paper and that since Friday, he had fielded hundreds of calls and messages from supporters who were appalled at the TOP decision to preference the Teal."

Smart says he has met with One Nation candidate Mike Brown and will now be assisting him with his campaign. The Australian reported earlier this month that Smart had "prayed with his One Nation opponent and allegedly asked the Hanson man for a preference deal", but Brown has ended up recommending preferences to Liberal incumbent Zoe McKenzie.

"A conservative government with One Nation/Liberals going forward is the best outcome for our nation, and I will assist them to achieve that with my integrity intact. Youth crime, cost of living, immigration and power prices are all issues that impact on families and businesses right around the country, and Mike Brown of Pauline Hanson's One Nation has been transparent and upfront with the Australian people about their desire to see the back of Albanese".

"I share that desire, and that’s why I’m asking the people of Flinders that when they vote, to put me last".

The Trumpet of Patriots website describes Smart as a "strong advocate for policies that put Australian workers and businesses first," who "grew up in a working-class family and built a successful career in the construction industry".

6 News has reached out to Trumpet of Patriots leader Suellen Wrightson for comment.

In both the House of Representatives and the Senate (including both above the line and below the line), preferences are entirely voter controlled, meaning how-to-vote cards are recommendations only.

According to election analyst Dr Kevin Bonham, a majority of voters do not follow how-to-vote cards. The rate in the House of Representatives is around "45% for [major parties], usually 15% or less for anyone else," and in the Senate it's even less: "c. 25-30 for majors, 10% or so for Greens, a few percent most others".

Smart is the third federal election candidate to withdraw following the close of nominations, ahead of pre-polling beginning tomorrow. Family First's Longman candidate Malachi Brogden Hearne was disendorsed a week ago for social media posts, and days later Greens candidate Owen Fitzgerald withdrew in the seat of Franklin after discovering he holds New Zealand citizenship by descent.