Joanna Nilson, Victorian Greens candidate, quits over shoplifting social media posts

A Greens candidate in the Victorian election has quit over comments she said were made "in jest" about shoplifting.

The comments were made in a secret Facebook group called "Bad Gals Club", and included tips about how to shoplift, as well as derogatory comments about a female Liberal senator.

Ms Nilson — who was a candidate for the Upper House in the Northern Metropolitan Region — deactivated her Facebook account after she was asked about the comments by the Herald Sun newspaper.

Ms Nilson said she had decided to withdraw from the race because she did not want the comments to be a distraction for the Greens.

"I regret making these comments," Ms Nilson said in a statement.

"While they were made several years ago, in jest online, and are in no way reflective of my beliefs or actions, I don't want them to be a distraction.

"I have resigned as a candidate, and the party has accepted my resignation."

A Greens spokesperson confirmed her resignation.

"Joanna regrets making these comments and has done the right thing by resigning as to not distract from the campaign," the spokesperson said.

Liberal shadow treasurer Michael O'Brien said the posts show Ms Nilson is not "suitable for parliament".

"I think if somebody is there not only boasting about stealing, but actually providing instruction on how to do it, I don't think that qualifies as a joke," he said.

"Since the Greens … want to be in a power sharing arrangement with Labor I think that those parties have got a greater responsibility to ensure their candidates are fit and proper people and they're properly vetted."

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