Uncucked: The Genuine Conservative’s Guide To Australian Right Wing Alternative Parties

Malcolm Turnbull’s declaration during the week that the Liberal Party sits at the ‘sensible centre’ of Australian politics couldn’t have come at a worse time for the increasingly unpopular Prime Minister. With the national debt continuing to spiral out of control, foreign ownership of Australian property locking locals out of the housing market, and unsustainably high levels of immigration posing an ever increasing threat to the Australian way of life, the need for a strong leader with genuine political convictions has never been greater. Turnbull’s isolation from mainstream Australian concerns is now on full display for all to see, as the former investment banker waxes lyrical about gay marriage and republicanism from the safety and security of his harbour-side mansion. Meanwhile, the silent majority of suburban Australians — those who ultimately decide elections, have real world concerns to deal with. Many minor parties are now raising their hand in order to fill the void left in the wake of the Liberal Party’s desertion of its conservative base. The following guide will outline some of these parties and what voters can expect from them.

Australian Conservatives

Former Liberal Party Senator Cory Bernardi’s brainchild, the Australian Conservatives were established earlier in the year specifically to provide an alternative to the diluted conservatism of the Turnbull led Liberal Party. Having already formed a merger with the Family First Party, Australian Conservatives were also able to attract the likes of Victorian Parliamentarian Doctor Rachel Carling-Jenkins from the Democratic Labour Party, as well as Kirralie Smith and Bernard Gaynor from the Australian Liberty Alliance. The Australian Conservatives run on a platform of free market economics and social conservatism, making them an ideal choice for disillusioned former Liberal Party voters looking for a party with a similar vision to that of the former Howard and Abbott Governments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pros:

• Ideologically committed to conservative principles.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in establishing mergers with other similar parties.

Cons:

• Cory Bernardi is a career politician.        

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

With Pauline Hanson triumphantly returning to the Australian Federal Parliament in 2016 alongside three other One Nation Senators, the party has now re-established itself as a force to be reckoned with in Australian politics. Hanson’s unique brand of nationalist politics still strikes a chord with many Australians, just as it originally did when she first burst onto the scene in the 1990s. Immigration and terrorism are the main areas which the party is focused on, and their support looks set to grow in coming years.

Pros:

• Established name recognition.
• Realistic approach to mass immigration and Islamic extremism.
• Hard line on combating terrorism.
• Supportive of Family Court reform.
• Opposition to foreign government ownership of Australian assets.

Cons:

• Opposition to industrial relations reform.

Liberal Democratic Party

The Liberal Democrats emphasise individual freedom, limited government and personal responsibility. As Australia’s first ever libertarian party, the Liberal Democrats pride themselves on their small government agenda. The party’s biggest name is Senator David Leyonhjelm from New South Wales, who has made a name for himself in recent years for his ongoing attacks against the nanny state. Having recently also recruited former Labor leader Mark Latham, the party’s public profile looks set to improve even further in years to come.

Pros:

• Support for tax cuts.
• Opposition to bureaucratic red tape.

Cons:

• Simplistic approach towards matters of national security and social policy.
• Less vocal on social policies.

Katter’s Australian Party 

Former Federal Nationals MP Bob Katter founded his own self-titled party in 2011, following a 10 year stint as an unaffiliated independent candidate. Katter’s loyal following, particularly in rural Queensland, has been built on the back of a policy platform which emphasises social conservatism and economic protectionism.

Pros:

• Established Name Recognition.
• Opposition to foreign government ownership of Australian assets.

Cons:

• Receives very little support outside of Queensland.
• Opposition to asset privatisation.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party

A pro-gun party with representation in state parliaments across Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party is rapidly gaining support in rural electorates as voters abandon the National Party in their droves.

Pros:

• Established base of rural supporters.

Cons:

• Too much emphasis on niche policy areas.

Christian Democrats

Former Christian minister Fred Nile’s party currently shares the balance of power in the New South Wales Upper House. The party runs on a strict platform of social conservatism.

Pros:

• Socially conservative values.

Cons:

• Limited grasp of issues relating to economics and foreign policy.

Which one of Australia’s alternative right wing parties do you prefer? Let us know- have a say on the poll below.

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