Damon Mcknight
Far-right politics in Australia encompasses various groups and ideologies espousing xenophobic, racialised, and nationalist sentiments. Historically, far-right extremism and radicalism in the country can be traced back to the interwar period, but their visibility has been lower compared to North America and Europe. The far-right landscape in Australia includes organisations such as the Australian Protectionist Party (APP), Australians Against Further Immigration (AAFI), and the Australia First Party (AFP), which promote anti-immigration, white nationalist, and supremacist agendas. The rise of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiments in the mid-2010s also contributed to the emergence of groups like the Australian Liberty Alliance (ALA) and the Q Society, targeting Muslim immigration and the presence of Muslims in Australian society. Understanding the far right in Australia is crucial for policymakers to address the increasing influence of these groups in local politics and their potential impact on the country's social fabric.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rural and regional communities | Xenophobia |
| Nationalist | Racialised |
| Anti-immigration | Homophobia |
| Anti-Muslim | White Supremacy |
| Anti-Semitic | Anti-establishment |
| Anti-Aboriginal | Anti-government |
| Anti-multicultural | Radical-Nationalism |
| Anti-integration | Neo-Nazism |
| Anti-progressive | Populist-Monarchism |
| Anti-woke | Radical-Populism |
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What You'll Learn
Far-right groups in Australia
One notable far-right group in Australia was the Australians Against Further Immigration (AAFI). Founded in 1989 and dissolved in 2008, AAFI was an anti-immigration political party that described itself as "eco-nationalist" and opposed positive net immigration. The party failed to meet the minimum membership requirements and was deregistered in 2005. Another group, the Australian Protectionist Party (APP), also known as the Party For Freedom, is a minor far-right party focused on economic protectionism and white nationalism. The APP has actively protested against asylum seekers, Muslims, and the implementation of Sharia law in Australia, although it has been largely inactive since 2016.
The Australia First Party (AFP), founded in 1996, is a militant white supremacist group with a nationalist and anti-multicultural platform. The Antipodean Resistance (AR), formed in 2016, is an Australian neo-Nazi group that promotes hatred and violence against Jews and homosexuals through graphic posters and symbols. The Australian Liberty Alliance (ALA), created in 2015 and rebranded as Yellow Vest Australia in 2019, was a minor political party with anti-Islamic policies. It was the political wing of the Q Society, a far-right organisation that opposed Muslim immigration and the presence of Muslims in Australian society.
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Anti-immigration and white nationalism
Far-right politics in Australia encompasses a range of groups with xenophobic, racialised, and nationalist ideologies. The far-right in Australia has historically been associated with anti-immigration and white nationalist sentiments, often targeting Muslims, asylum seekers, and non-white immigrants.
One notable example of a far-right anti-immigration group is the Australian Protectionist Party (APP), also known as the Party For Freedom. The APP is a minor political party advocating economic protectionism and white nationalism. The party has actively protested against the presence of asylum seekers, Muslims, and the implementation of Sharia law in Australia. However, the APP has failed to gain significant electoral support, consistently failing to secure more than 1% of the vote in contested elections.
Another far-right group, Australians Against Further Immigration (AAFI), was active from 1989 to 2008. The AAFI described itself as "eco-nationalist" and opposed positive net immigration. The group was ultimately deregistered due to failing to meet the minimum membership requirements for official political parties.
The far-right in Australia has also been associated with white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies. Groups such as the Australian Nationalist Movement (ANM) or Australian Nationalist Worker's Union (ANWU), founded by Peter Joseph "Jack" van Tongeren, have distributed racist propaganda and perpetrated racially motivated crimes, including arson attacks targeting Asian-owned businesses. Van Tongeren, a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi and Holocaust denier, served 13 years in prison for his crimes.
Other far-right groups in Australia include the Australia First Party (AFP), a militant white supremacist party founded by Graeme Campbell, and the Australian Liberty Alliance (ALA), which rebranded as Yellow Vest Australia in 2019. These groups have promoted nationalist, anti-multicultural, and anti-Islamic sentiments, often targeting Muslim immigration and the presence of Muslims in Australian society.
The far-right in Australia has been characterised by its opposition to immigration, rejection of multiculturalism, and promotion of nationalist agendas. These sentiments have often been fuelled by conspiracy theories and anti-government rhetoric, particularly during times of political discontent, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Far-right political parties
One example of a far-right party in Australia is the Australia First Party, which has been described as a fringe group with a limited impact on the political landscape. The party has faced internal divisions and has been unable to unify its message or present a strong front to the public. This disorganisation has likely contributed to its lack of electoral success.
Another factor contributing to the limited success of far-right parties in Australia is the country's unique political culture. Australia's political system, which includes compulsory voting and a preference-based voting system, may make it more challenging for fringe parties to gain a foothold. Additionally, the major parties in Australia have been quick to adopt and amplify certain far-right policies, particularly those related to immigration and border protection, leaving limited room for far-right parties to differentiate themselves.
However, it is important to note that the lack of electoral success does not necessarily reflect the absence of far-right sentiment in Australia. There are concerns about the rise of far-right movements and the normalisation of extreme ideologies, as evidenced by anti-immigration protests and the presence of neo-Nazi groups. While these groups have yet to translate their support into electoral success, they remain a significant presence in Australian society.
In conclusion, far-right political parties in Australia have struggled due to disorganisation, a failure to develop functional party structures, and competition from major parties co-opting certain far-right policies. While their electoral impact has been limited, the presence of far-right ideologies and movements in Australia is a cause for ongoing concern.
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The far-right's political imagination
The far right in Australian politics is a broad term encompassing various groups united by xenophobic, racialised, and nationalist ideologies. The far-right's political imagination is characterised by a sense of exclusionary localism, where rural and regional communities are perceived as the "true" Australia, belonging exclusively to "the people". This notion of "the people," however, is narrowly defined along ideological and racial lines. The far-right's imagination seeks to preserve a mono-cultural Australia, rejecting multiculturalism as a threat to national cohesion. This is evident in the emergence of anti-immigration parties such as Australians Against Further Immigration (AAFI) and the Australian Protectionist Party (APP), which espouse economic protectionism and white nationalism. These parties actively protest against the presence of asylum seekers, Muslims, and the implementation of Sharia law.
Moreover, the far-right's political imagination is shaped by a sense of cultural superiority, where Western culture is perceived to be under threat from non-European immigration and the progressive agenda of the political left. This belief system aligns with Huntington's "clash of civilisations" hypothesis, which posits a conflict between Western values and those of non-Western civilisations. The far-right's rejection of multiculturalism and their support for integration reflect this ideological stance.
Understanding the far-right's political imagination in Australia is crucial for policymakers to develop effective strategies to counter their influence. By recognising the interplay between local and transnational narratives, policymakers can address the grievances exploited by the far-right while promoting inclusive and tolerant alternatives.
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Far-right extremism and radicalism
One example of far-right extremism in Australia is the Australian Protectionist Party (APP), also known as the Party For Freedom. The APP is a minor far-right, anti-immigration party that focuses on economic protectionism and white nationalism. The party has actively protested against the presence of asylum seekers, Muslims, and the implementation of Sharia law in Australia. While the APP has been largely inactive since 2016, other groups have emerged to take its place.
Another example is the Australia First Party (AFP), a militant white supremacist political party founded in 1996. The AFP stands on a nationalist, anti-multicultural, and economically protectionist platform. The party has been led by Jim Saleam, a prominent far-right extremist.
Australians Against Further Immigration (AAFI) was another far-right anti-immigration political party that described itself as "eco-nationalist". The party was founded in 1989 and dissolved in 2008 due to a lack of membership.
More recently, the Australian Liberty Alliance (ALA), created in 2015, was rebranded as Yellow Vest Australia in 2019. The ALA was a minor political party with anti-Islamic policies, focusing on Muslim immigration and enforcing "integration over separation". The party was deregistered in 2020.
The far right in Australia has also been active in local politics, such as protesting against the "Drag Queen Story Hour" initiative aimed at promoting literacy and acceptance of gender diversity. The COVID-19 pandemic and respective public health responses also created an opportunity for the far right to attract new sympathisers, as many Australians expressed anti-government and anti-establishment conspiratorial views similar to those of the far right.
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Frequently asked questions
The term "far right" is used to describe both right-wing extremism and radicalism in Australian politics. The far right in Australia is characterised by xenophobic, racialised, and nationalist politics.
Some far-right groups in Australia include the Australian Protectionist Party (also known as the Party For Freedom), the Australia First Party (AFP), the Australian Liberty Alliance (ALA), and Australians Against Further Immigration (AAFI).
Far-right groups in Australia often promote anti-immigration, white nationalist, and anti-Muslim sentiments. They may also support economic protectionism, radical-nationalism, neo-Nazism, and populist-monarchism.
The far right has had a presence in Australia since the interwar period, but it has been less visible compared to North America and Europe. However, in recent years, there has been a rise in far-right activity, with groups capitalising on political discontent and grievances during events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The far right in Australia may have unique characteristics due to the country's specific cultural and political context. For example, far-right groups in Australia may focus on issues related to immigration, multiculturalism, and the presence of Islam in Australian society.
