Rhys Adams, SA-Best's candidate for the electorate of Finniss, posted a photo of him punching a wax figure of singer Rihanna at Madame Tussauds in Sydney.

The photo featured a caption that read "It's Chris baby," a reference to Rihanna's 2009 assault by then-boyfriend Chris Brown that left her bleeding, with a swollen face.

Brown was subsequently charged with felony assault and accepted a plea deal under which he received a sentence of five years' probation.

Other photos on Mr Adams' Facebook page reportedly showed him groping other celebrity statues at the wax museum including Lleyton Hewitt and Toni Collette.

The decision to sack Mr Adams was made after the ABC sent the photos to SA-Best party leader Nick Xenophon.

Senator Xenophon spoke to the ABC and said that the decision had been made to remove Mr Adams as a candidate.

"There's meant to be a process of vetting for social media [and I am] very unimpressed and quite appalled," he said.

"I've spoken to Rhys Adams ??? he will no longer be a candidate."

Senator Xenophon said that Mr Adams was embarrassed by the incident and the candidate is yet to speak publicly over the post.