Federal Election 2022: Australians look to support minor parties

Millions of Aussies are throwing their support behind some surprising minor political parties. See who they are.

With the federal election less than a month away, Australia’s major political parties are battling to win votes.

But for millions of Australians, the feeling of disillusionment with the country’s traditional two-party system of politics has seen them turn their attention to the increasingly popular minor parties.

The rising cost of living, climate change and anti-vax mandates, are some of the key issues these minor parties will be fighting for as Australians head to the polls.

Here is a full list of the 15 minor parties and what they stand for.

AUSTRALIAN PROGRESSIVES

The party aims to “refresh Australia’s national discourse” and rebuild the political and economic landscape as a “more engaged, empowered and ethical democracy”.

“We will do this through a policy platform founded upon evidence, empathy and equality,” the party states.

“We are a team of dedicated Australians, advocating for the election of quality candidates at each level of government.”

Its policies include establishing a Commonwealth Independent Commission Against Corruption and establishing a royal commission into the mandatory detention and offshore processing of asylum seekers since 1992.

AUSTRALIAN VALUES PARTY (AVP)

Experienced military veterans, law enforcement officers and crisis workers have formed a new political party to “fix the crisis in leadership”.

The Australian Values Party (AVP) – led by former soldier Heston Russell – says it aims to “bring balance into Australian politics” and hold the government responsible to account.

Australian Values Party senate candidate, Heston Russell. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“It’s time to stop seesawing between the Left and Right wings of politics,” the party states.

“AVP is here to bring balance into the Centre of Australian Politics.”

Its key policies include supporting veterans, protecting native flora and fauna, supporting responsible ownership of firearms as well as working on developing policies on other issues like reforming the ABC.

AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIANS

Formed in 2011, the Australian Christians party aims to be a “bold voice for families, faith and freedom” in parliament.

“As a Party, we always strive to model biblical values such as honesty and integrity, hope, respect, moral law, freedom, justice and sacrifice in all we do,” the party states.

Its policies include religious freedom, opposition to euthanasia and introducing legislation that has a “zero tolerance” approach on drugs and focuses on assisting addicts rather than on how to use drugs “safely”.

AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS PARTY

The Citizens Party – formerly the Citizens Electoral Council – is an independent political party focused on returning Australia’s banking and economic development policies.

“The Citizens Party is inspired by the policies of old Labor, and its leaders such as John Curtin and Ben Chifley who believed in the “common good” or raising the living standards of all people through nation-building infrastructure, education, free health care, and scientific and cultural progress,” the party states.

Its policies include creating a public post office, not going to war with China and repealing the prohibition on nuclear power.

DAVID POCOCK

Ex-Wallaby player David Pocock is running for the Senate as the community-endorsed independent ACT candidate.

Emma and David Pocock at home in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman

His policies include tackling the cost of living, endorsing a federal anti-corruption watchdog, improving actions on climate change and more humane treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.

FUSION: SCIENCE, PIRATE, SECULAR, CLIMATE EMERGENCY

The party is focused on securing a “safe climate and environment, a humanist society, and free culture, held together by science”.

“Fighting the dystopia, corruption, and economic inequity of today‘s politics, we bring our specialist focuses of the climate emergency, unlocking the future, free culture, and secular humanism to the fore,” the party states.

“Solarpunks, farmers, rationalists, doctors, climate warriors, artists, makers, teachers, activists, ethical hackers, community workers, culture jammers, extinction rebels, and public servants — all have combined to create a new light in the Australian political arena.”

FEDERAL ICAC NOW (FIN)

The political party was formed to promote the establishment of an “adequately funded, staffed and empowered” Federal Independent Commission Against Corruption.

“In addition, FIN will advocate for real time political donation disclosure, strict limits on those donations, an end to any preferential treatment of retiring politicians in their subsequent employment and increased protections for whistleblowers,” the party states.

INFORMED MEDICAL OPTIONS PARTY

The party’s policies oppose compulsory vaccination programs and water fluoridation. They believes that these are “mass-medication programs” where there is ”genuine scientific uncertainty about the benefits and risks in a genetically diverse population”.

The Informed Medical Options Party candidate for Leichhardt Silvia Mogorovich. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We advocate for freedom of choice; and we aim to always represent the will of the people,” the party states.

The party’s main agenda is to eliminate mandatory health policies, and to “provide the Australian people with choice” when it comes to their way of living.

KIM FOR CANBERRA

Law professor Kim Rubenstein is an independent “standing up for Canberra’s great national institutions”, including the Public Service, tourism, culture and the arts.

“I will stand up for gaining extra representation for Canberra, pushing for at least two more ACT Senators and giving Canberra the numbers to prevent the federal parliament overriding the democratic choices of Canberra voters,” she states.

“I want our laws to reflect Australian society today and not the 1890s.”

Her policies include urgent climate action, improving women’s safety and a humane refugee policy.

SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY – STOP OVERDEVELOPMENT / CORRUPTION

Sustainable Australia Party is an independent community movement who believe in a “science and evidence-based approach to policy – not a left or right wing ideology”.

“We are a group of committed Australians from backgrounds in business, science, the environment, health, academia, demography, politics and many other ordinary citizens; from World War 2 Diggers to migrants born on every inhabited continent on Earth,” the party states.

Sustainable Australia Party wants a science based approach to policy.

Its policies include protecting Australia’s animal habitats, stopping corruption, maintaining and strengthening Australia’s security and Defence and supporting the arts sector.

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN PARTY (GAP)

The Great Australia Party is focused on the “restoration of the Commonwealth“.

It was originally formed in 2017 and named the Power to People Party, before former One Nation senator Rod Culleton joined and rebranded it as The GAP.

“The Commonwealth Constitution dictates that you are the ‘Supreme, Absolute, Uncontrollable Authority’ in this country,” the party states.

“As such, it is now high time to give the power back to the people of this great country.

Its policies are wide reaching, including abolishment of the Family Court in favour of “mediation counselling” and gun reform.

THE LOCAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

The party is focused on not just putting “new politicians into old and corrupt structures”, but to “create ways for people to be involved, not ostracised”.

“We’ve had enough of career politicians, always desperately trying to beat the other team, either dodging bullets or firing them,” the party states.

“We want representatives who work with their communities to unleash their collective wisdom to find real solutions and real opportunities.”

Its policies include shortening the opening hours at the pokies, as well as working with legal experts to fight crime rates in Tasmania.

THE NEW LIBERALS (TNL)

TNL is an Australian political party formed in 2019, which is led by Sydney barrister Victor Kline whose aim is to “knock off the Morrison Government”.

Its policies include establishing a federal anti-corruption commission, urgent action on climate change with the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2035 and establishing a full employment and job guarantee scheme.

VICTORIAN SOCIALISTS

The party believes that real change in politics starts with working class communities “fighting for their own interests”.

“Victorian Socialist candidates, if elected, will fight for a radical redistribution of wealth and power,” the party states.

“Give us 100 days in office, and we will give you 100 ways we will fight to take power from the elite and return it to those who created the wealth in the first place.”

WESTERN AUSTRALIA PARTY

The Western Australia Party is an independent party who claims to have “no extreme or nutty views” and will promote the interests of the state in Canberra.

“There is no other minor party more dedicated to WA and with more first preference votes,” the party states.

“We are the only party in WA with its Head Office in Western Australia and registered both federally and in the state.

Its policies include promoting a strong economy, climate change, social justice and helping small businesses.

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Originally published as Federal Election 2022: Australians look to support minor parties