Victorian Socialists plan to expand into the Northern Territory

The Victorian Socialists are planning to go nation wide – but to launch in the Territory there’s one key hurdle they must overcome.

Alice Springs resident and NT Socialists member Jacqui Ward. Pic: Supplied.

The Victorian Socialists are planning to expand into the Northern Territory, offering voters “an alternative to pro-capitalist politics” of major parties.

Next month the party will apply to the Australian Electoral Commission to rebrand as the ‘Socialists’, and is aiming to launch state branches across the country – including the NT Socialists.

The party is currently sitting on less than 20 NT members, and must grow that to 200 before it can register in the Territory.

One of the local members is Alice Springs resident and disability sector worker Jacqui Ward.

Ms Ward said she was drawn to the socialists’ platform on equality, pointing to issues including lack of housing, over-policing, and mining.

“It seems that the Territory has a lot of issues that people would be concerned about, but not much choice in who they can vote for in regards to those issues,” she said.

“Inequality is growing between rich and poor in Australia – and everywhere else, it seems – and because the major parties are so beholden to lobbyists and funders their policies are often very timid. They’re not really responding to evidence based policies that people need.”

“Like a lot of people, I’m pretty dissatisfied with the two major parties in Australia, and unfortunately a lot of the third member parties have been to the right.

“I was really glad when I saw that (the Socialists) were looking at growing a membership here.”

Jordan van den Lamb (aka purplepingers) ran for the Victoria Senate on the Victorian Socialists ticket.

Jordan van den Lamb ran for the Victoria Senate on the Victorian Socialists ticket at the federal election and is known for his controversial online activism under the alias Purple Pingers.

He said the party hoped to contest the NT’s council elections in August – if it could get registered in time.

The NT’s 200 member quota is the highest per capita in the country, making it the most difficult jurisdiction to register a political party.

“Victorian Socialists has, in this state, provided an alternative to pro-capitalist politics of major party politicians, and we want to ensure everyone, no matter where in Australia you live, has the opportunity to vote socialist in future elections,” Mr van den Lamb said.

“But that won’t be where our activity ends – the primary difference between us and the other parties is we want to be part of the community, doing stuff and helping people.”

Mr van den Lamb said Territory specific policies would need to be voted on by members, but he personally wanted to see justice reforms.

“The new bail laws are ridiculous – it’s really disappointing to see the Greens voting for them,” he said.

“There are an atrocious amount of Aboriginal deaths in custody, and massive inequalities.”

Formed in 2018, the Victorian Socialists have never won more than 1.5 per cent at a state or federal election.

It currently has one Councillor elected in Victoria.

Originally published as Victorian Socialists plan to expand into the Northern Territory