Conspiracists and people linked to anti-lockdown campaigner among 120 ‘fringe’ candidates in NSW council elections

Exclusive: Libertarian MP John Ruddick says the gods have smiled on us' after a Liberal party bungle opened the door for others seeking council seats

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More than 120 people running in the New South Wales local government elections have been identified by researchers as possible fringe" candidates, including conspiracy theorists and people backed by a high-profile anti-lockdown campaigner.

These candidates make up about 3% of the 3,816 people vying for 1,230 council positions across NSW, according to new research. Some could be elected given a NSW Liberals bungle meant the major party failed to nominate more than 100 candidates.

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