South Australia's Opposition leader has refused to disendorse a Liberal candidate who called his would-be constituents smelly and work-shy.
On the weekend the Advertiser revealed that Anthony Antoniadis, a newsagent and the Liberal candidate for the Adelaide seat of Ramsay, made the derogatory comments in a series of Facebook posts.
Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis on Monday called on opposition leader Steven Marshall to disendorse the candidate for the March 15 election.
But Mr Marshall said Mr Antoniadis, 26, had apologised to the people of SA and the issue for Ramsay was youth unemployment not flippant comments made by a young candidate.
"The comments were stupid, the comments were offensive," he told ABC Radio.
"He has been counselled and he is very remorseful."
Mr Marshall said the Liberals certainly disendorsed the comments, but that was not the issue for Ramsay.
Mr Koutsantonis said nominations for Ramsay closed at midday on Monday.
"The clock is ticking for Mr Marshall to sack Mr Antoniadis and endorse a new candidate.
"One who will show more respect for the people of the north than they have been shown so far by the Liberal Party."
