With only weeks to the October 19 ACT election, the Canberra Liberals have suddenly disendorsed Ginninderra candidate and sitting MLA Elizabeth Kikkert.

On Monday night the party’s management committee resolved that Ms Kikkert, who has been a Liberal MLA since 2016, will not contest the October 19 election as an endorsed candidate for the Liberal Party, asserting she was in breach of two elements of the Electoral Act.

By Tuesday morning, the Canberra Liberals party room followed suit and removes Kikkert from the parliamentary party.

“This decision was not taken lightly, but reflects the seriousness with which the Liberal Party takes compliance with obligations of candidates and MLAs under the Electoral Act 1992, including but not limited to disclosure of donations and electoral expenditure,” the Liberals say in a media statement.

“In taking the decision, the Liberal Party also took into account conduct which had exposed the party to potential workplace claims as a result of Mrs Kikkert’s behaviour towards employees.

“The Canberra Liberals take compliance with the Electoral Act 1992 very seriously, and has no tolerance for behaviour which would not be acceptable in any workplace.”

In December, leader Elizabeth Lee stripped Kikkert of her families, youth and community services, and prevention of domestic and family violence shadow portfolios and banished her to the backbench with former leader Jeremy Hanson. In announcing that reshuffle Liberal leader Elizabeth Lee pointedly said she had assembled a team that she could “trust” for the October election.