Australian Party
The Australian Party can refer to a number of political parties in Australia's history, most recently to the party started by Queensland independent MP Bob Katter known as Katter's Australian Party.
Australian Party (1930s)
A short-lived party created by former Prime Minister Billy Hughes in 1930, after his expulsion from the Nationalist Party in 1929. He was its leader until 1931 when he wound the party up and rejoined most of his former Nationalist colleagues in the newly formed United Australia Party.[1] It also counted Hughes's fellow Nationalist defectors Walter Marks and George Maxwell as members.
Australian Party (1950s)
Formed in September 1955 by right-wing journalist Frank Browne, it never had a serious following, though the party received some media attention and generally advocated far right positions.[2] Vigorously anti-communist, its principles included the perpetuation of the White Australia policy, a defence policy focused on threats from Asia, and the total annexation of New Guinea. The party was disbanded in September 1957. Some party members formed the Australian Nationalist Workers' Party, a precursor to the Australian National Socialist Party.[3]
Australian Party (1960s)
Formed in 1966; it released the policy statement: "In domestic matters we want the word "Commonwealth" to have true meaning. Land would be available to all who need it and at reasonable prices. Land profiteering would be a criminal offence. In foreign policy we advocate recognition of a New Asia and a world which is utterly different from that of even ten years ago. Immediate action to improve greatly the transport system will necessitate a major road plan, ruthless modernisation of the railways."[2]
Australian Party (2010s)
Most recently, independent MP Bob Katter launched his own incarnation of the Australian Party, aimed at providing "more support for the dairy industry, increasing the use of ethanol fuel and reducing the market share of the two major supermarkets".[4] Katter stated that he does not want his new party becoming a re-badged "old Country Party".[5]
Sources
- ^ Adam Carr Commonwealth legislative election of 12 October 1929: North Sydney, New South Wales Psephos
- ^ a b Jaensch, Dean; Mathieson, David (1998). A plague on both your houses: minor parties in Australia. Allen and Unwin. pp. 80, 87. ISBN 1-86448-421-7.
- ^ Harcourt, David (1972). Everyone Wants to be Fuehrer: National Socialism in Australia and New Zealand. Angus and Robertson. pp. 4–6. ISBN 0207124159.
- ^ Katter's Australian Party launched in Brisbane Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- ^ Tony Koch and Rosanne Barrett "Bob Katter's new party plan: we will deliver" The Australian
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