The Liberal (party) leadership was apparently not aware of his views until it was too late.
1. It's still not too late
2. In solid Labor seats like Werriwa there's usually not too many volunteers to be the verlorn hoop running against the Labor candidate. Body temperature of 37 Celsius for the previous 18 years is pretty much the minimum qualiftcations that can be demanded.
3. If wouldn't be a Australian election without at least one really embarrassing candidate somewhere.