What micro parties on ballot paper stand for
The Senate ballot paper is daunting, and not just because of its size. This is your cheat sheet to all the parties you’ve never heard of.
Australians are heading to the polls.
The task is made more palatable by snagging a “democracy sausage”, cooked at one of the traditional sausage sizzles, but it is not as easy as stuffing your face and walking in and pulling a lever — especially when it comes to the Senate.
The ballot paper is full of parties you’ve never heard of. From the far-right micro parties to the progressive alternatives entering the race, voters will be spoiled for choice.
But there is a risk a mediocre candidate from an obscure party will nab an influential spot in the Senate.
Be careful. It’s not always clear what the smaller parties stand for based on their name alone.
Here’s a guide to the micro parties you’ve probably never heard of running in the Senate this federal election.
RELATED: Your quick guide to Coalition and Labor policies
LOVE AUSTRALIA OR LEAVE
Candidates
The party is putting up candidates in NSW, Western Australia and Tasmania.
Key policies
• Combating extremism and Islam in Australia
• Taking control of mosques
• Authorising random audits of mosques and putting keys to mosques in the nearest police station
• Placing tracking devices on radicalised juvenile offenders as young as 10
• Universal conscription scheme for teenagers when they leave high school
• Right for adults to carry a firearm, pending a mental health and criminal history check.
ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY
Candidates
Senate and House of Representatives candidates will run in most states, including Victoria and Queensland.
Key policies
• Placing cameras in slaughter houses
• Phasing out the farming practices of tail docking, castration, branding, ear marking, teeth clipping, dehorning and mulesing
• Providing plant-based foods in school, university and TAFE canteens.
YELLOW VEST AUSTRALIA
Candidates
Previously called the Australian Liberty Alliance, the anti-Islamic group was recently renamed after the French-based protest group. Candidates are expected to run in most states.
Key policies
• Ending the “Islamisation of Australia”
• Prohibiting full face coverings in public spaces
• Investigating the use of “efficient and safe” options to replace ageing coal-fired power stations
• Banning dual citizenship
• Publicly funding around-the-clock surgery clinics to ease pressure on public hospitals.
INVOLUNTARY MEDICATION OBJECTORS (VACCINATION/FLUORIDE) PARTY
Candidates
Candidates will run in the Senate for NSW, Queensland and Western Australia.
Key policies
• Rejecting government-sponsored vaccination
• Opposing “mass medication” of the population by the fluoridation of water supplies
• Launching an investigation or royal commission into the “allegations” of scientists, researchers and doctors and the “detrimental effects” of vaccination programs.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTY
Candidates
Running in NSW.
Key policies
• Creating affordable housing for all Australians
• Eradicating negative gearing on investment properties
• Restricting overseas buyers and temporary visa holders from buying property in Australia
• Increasing rent assistance payments.
SECULAR PARTY OF AUSTRALIA
Candidates
Two candidates will run in each state.
Key policies
• Replacing parliamentary prayers with an oath
• Changing citizenship ceremonies to include a “citizenship pledge” focused on respect of Australia’s rights, liberties and values
• Making product labels disclose halal or religious certification payments.
SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY
Candidates
Candidates for the upper house will run in all states and territories, while House of Representative hopefuls will run in only some states and territories.
Key policies
• Securing jobs via a more diverse economy
• Providing affordable housing for first home buyers and renters
• Better planning to stop overdevelopment
• Sustainable environment and population.
THE PIRATE PARTY
Candidates
Running in NSW, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Key policies
• Voluntary euthanasia
• Internet to remain open, uncontrolled and free with any inappropriate attempts to censor or data block content to be banned.
REASON PARTY
Candidates
Previously the Sex Party, Reason re-emerged as a “movement for radical common sense” in 2017. A candidate will run in NSW.
Key policies
• Treating drug use as a health issue, not a criminal issue
• Legalising, regulating and taxing cannabis
• Modernising classification laws to facilitate adult freedoms while protecting children
• Providing federal support for states to decriminalise sex work
• Repealing laws that prevent the territories enacting voluntary assisted-dying legislation.
JACQUI LAMBIE NETWORK
Candidate
Running in Tasmania.
Key policies
• Making defence and security Australia’s top priority
• Legalising of medicinal cannabis
• Boosting the pension
• Making education more applicable, accessible and affordable.
THE WOMEN’S PARTY
Candidates
One candidate in NSW.
Key policies
• Equal representation of women in parliament
• Subsiding child care
• Giving women absolute control over their bodies, especially with pregnancy
• Equal wages
TOGETHER. THE PARTY
Candidates
Lawyer and former Barclays Bank senior executive Mark Swivel, engineer Belinda Kinkead and actor Kate McDowell are all vying for a spot in the Senate.
Key policies
• Australian republic
• Climate change action
• Investing in learning over defence
• Publicly broadcast corruption hearings.
AUSTRALIAN BETTER FAMILIES
Candidates
Seven Senate and House of Representative candidates will run, including media officer Jewell Drury, retired Australian Federal Police officer Peter Moujalli and retail manager Graham McFarland.
Key policies
• Family Law Reform to improve the health and well-being of families through extended mediation and counseling
• Ending Homelessness by providing crisis accommodation with clear pathways to community housing
• Child Support Reform to ensure ontime payments for parents, caps on payments and penalties for restricting child access
• Mental Health Reform by investing in community based mental health hubs that are supported by specialist care units
• Family Violence Reform to ensure all victims regardless of their age, gender or sexuality are provided access to services
CLIMATE ACTION! IMMIGRATION ACTION! ACCOUNTABLE POLITICIANS!
Candidates
Running in NSW, Queensland, and Victoria.
Key policies
• Advocating a direct democracy system
• Implementing an online voting system.
RISE UP AUSTRALIA PARTY
Candidates
Running in NSW, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Victoria.
Key policies
• Limiting Muslim immigration
• Opposing same-sex marriage.
SHOOTERS, FISHERS AND FARMERS
Candidates
Running in NSW and Western Australia.
Key policies
• Relaxing gun laws
• Removing red tape for gun imports
• Removing restrictions on recreational access to public land.
CENTRE ALLIANCE
Candidates
Running in South Australia.
Key policies
• Emphasising consumer rights
• Political accountability.
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