Thursday 15 October 2026
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Liberal candidate Charles Aponso unaware of state treaty at forum, draws party rebuke

Richmond candidate's 'which treaty?' gaffe prompts terse message from state director Alyson Hannam

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources2 outlets
Liberal candidate for Richmond, Charles Aponso, 19, has sparked internal party anger after appearing at a candidates forum unaware of Victoria's treaty with the First Peoples' Assembly, asking 'which treaty?' when questioned about the party's opposition to the agreement. The gaffe prompted state director Alyson Hannam to issue a stern message on Thursday reminding all candidates that debate appearances require her approval.

At a candidates forum hosted by Yarra City Council on Wednesday evening, Aponso was asked by an audience member why the Liberal Party does not support the treaty in Victoria. His reply, "So, the treaty, um, which treaty are you talking about?" was met with an awkward silence. The forum's MC, Mary Gearin, and the questioner then explained that the treaty is a legal agreement between Victoria and the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria that came into effect in December 2025. The Liberals have pledged to scrap it within 100 days if elected.

Aponso's lack of preparation also appears to have extended to party protocol. According to a WhatsApp message sent by state director Alyson Hannam to all MPs and Liberal candidates on Thursday, Aponso had not sought approval to attend the forum. Hannam's message, seen by this masthead, read: "The instruction that all debates must be approved by me has gone out each week for months. There is NO EXCUSE." She attached a clip of Aponso's gaffe as an example of why approval is needed, adding: "Not being across your brief puts not only you, but the team at risk and risks others getting a question about your mistakes."

Richmond is currently held by Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri, who won the seat from Labor in the 2022 election. This masthead has sought comment from both Aponso and Hannam but has not received a response.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Victoria's treaty is a contentious issue in the upcoming state election, with the Liberals promising to abolish it within 100 days. A candidate unaware of this core party position undermines the party's electoral pitch.
  • The incident highlights internal discipline problems: the state director's message shows candidates are ignoring instructions to seek approval for public appearances, risking further embarrassments.
  • For voters in Richmond, it raises questions about the caliber of the Liberal candidate in a seat where the Greens are the incumbent and Labor will also be competitive.

Background

Victoria's treaty process was established by the 2018 Treaty of Victoria Act and led to the creation of the First Peoples' Assembly. The treaty itself, a legally binding agreement, came into effect in December 2025. The Liberal Party has opposed the process from the outset and pledged to rescind the treaty if it wins government in the November state election. The seat of Richmond, which covers inner Melbourne suburbs, has been held by the Greens since 2022 after Gabrielle de Vietri defeated Labor's candidate.

Key Perspectives

Liberal Party leadership: The party expects candidates to be across key policies, particularly treaty, which is a flagship issue. The state director's message signals a zero-tolerance approach to unapproved appearances. Labor and the Greens: Both parties have used the incident to question the Liberals' readiness for government. Labor supports the treaty; the Greens are strong advocates for First Peoples' rights and the treaty process. Critics/Skeptics: Some may argue that a 19-year-old candidate's mistake is not a reflection of the entire party, but the fact that he appeared without approval and was unprepared on a core policy points to broader organizational failures in candidate selection and training.

What to Watch

  • Whether the Liberal Party selects a different candidate for Richmond or imposes additional training requirements.
  • The reaction from voters in Richmond during the campaign; polls may show whether the incident damages the Liberal brand in the seat.
  • Any further gaffes from Liberal candidates in other seats that could emerge as the election nears.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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