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SBS Australia
02-05-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
All the minor parties contesting the federal election
Clive Palmer's Trumpet of Patriots, Pauline Hanson's One Nation and Fatima Payman's Australia's Voice are just some of the minor parties vying for votes this election. Source: SBS News At the last election almost one in three Australians voted for a minor party or an independent candidate — the highest number in almost 100 years. It saw 16 independent and minor MPs joining the crossbench in the House of Representatives, with the power to take part in debates and introduce bills. The number of minor party candidates elected to the Senate also increased. But as micro and mini parties increasingly grow in popularity, who are some of the key players and what exactly do they stand for? Click on the links below to go directly to: The Animal Justice Party was formed to assist with the wellbeing of animals, people and the planet. The party's most well-known leader is Georgie Purcell. Ban greyhound and horse racing; Extra protections for animals including brumbies, bats and flying foxes, dingoes, ducks, kangaroos, koalas and platypus; Declaring a climate emergency and clean energy policies; Social justice issues including access to abortion, affordable housing, raising the age of criminal responsibility and supporting asylum seekers. Where they're running: In all states except the Northern Territory in the Senate. In the lower house in ACT, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. Australian Christians brand themselves as the "only party that will defend life, faith, family and freedom". They're pro-life and opposed to abortion, assisted suicide and "coercive vaccine mandates". They also believe in a drug-free Australia and binary genders. Reversing same-sex marriage; Protecting and defending religious freedom; Banning puberty blockers in minors; and "Wisely stewarding the environment God has given us." Where they're running: In the Senate in NSW and Western Australia. In 10 lower house seats in WA. The Australian Citizens Party stands for "restoring Australia's national and economic sovereignty". They were established in 1988, originally under the name Citizens Electoral Council (CEC). Ending Australia's foreign policy ties to the US and UK, including an end to the "war with China"; Restablishing a government bank — the Aussie Post Bank. Abolishing and replacing the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) and redefining the National Anti-Corruption Commission; and Expanding healthcare resources and nuclear power. Where they're running: In both the Senate and the lower house in NSW, NT, QLD, Tasmania and WA. In just the lower house in SA. Known for their "keep the bastards honest" slogan, the Australian Democrats were once a significant force in the Senate, but their popularity has since faded. They sit left-of-centre and are known for their environmental policies and "promise to act honestly and ethically". "Evidence-based governance", leaning on scientific methods; Opposing nuclear energy; and Raising the tax-free threshold from $18,200 to $45,000 a year. Where they're running: The Senate in QLD, VIC and WA. One lower house seat in NSW. Formed last year after Senator Fatima Payman resigned from the Labor party , Australia's Voice stands for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as making Australia a republic. "Real" climate action; Tackling "out-of-control" HECS debt by raising the repayment threshold to the median wage and capping debt at 1.5 times the original debt; and Raising the rate of Jobseeker. Where they're running: Senate candidates in NSW, QLD, SA, VIC and WA. Based on Judeo-Christian ethics, the party seeks to "restore Australia by restoring the primacy of the family in public policy". They're against same-sex marriage and abortion, want to remove LGBTIQ+ content from schools, and ban gender affirming surgery for minors. They also believe that multiculturalism has "failed" and want to pause Muslim immigration. Closing drug injecting centres; Removing the "couple penalty" that they say financially discriminates against families where one parent is an at-home carer; and Pro-life polices, including banning late term abortions and encouraging the public to "fall in love again with unborn babies". Where they're running: In both the Senate and lower house in NSW, QLD, SA and VIC. Also known by their full name — Fusion | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation — this party is comprised of multiple minor parties, including the Science party, Pirate party, Secular party, Vote Planet and Climate Change Justice party. Its biggest priority is tackling climate change and creating a "free, fair and innovative society for current and future generations" through socially progressive policies. Ending native logging and broad scale land clearing, as well as ending fossil fuel extraction; The separation of church and state; and "Ethical governance", including protection for whistleblowers and transparent governments. Where they're running: Both Senate and lower house seats in NSW, QLD, SA, VIC and WA. This party was founded by formal Liberal senator Gerard Rennick last year, who said: "The major parties have no solutions when it comes to invigorating Australia's economy and improving social cohesion. Their mismanagement has created more problems than solutions". Raising the tax-free threshold from $18,200 to $40,000; Childcare subsidy payments to go direct to parents; Superannuation to be voluntary; and Reinstating a public bank which the "Australian government should fund itself". Where they're running: In both the Senate and lower house in NSW, QLD and VIC. Just the Senate in WA and only the lower house in SA. HEART was first registered as the Involuntary Medication Objectors party in 2016. It champions "the right to choose or refuse any health product or procedure" and for increased transparency in environmental and economic governance. Calling for a Bill of Rights that protect the right to reject lockdowns, vaccination mandates, prevent medical coercion during abortions and euthanasia; Promoting natural treatment alternatives in the public health system; and Challenging Australia's membership in the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations. Where they're running: The Senate in ACT, NSW, QLD and VIC. The lower house in ACT and NSW. This party is made up of exclusively Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It originated with Barkindji and Malyangapa man, Owen Whyman in 2020 who said he started "the first political party in Australia that really cares about Indigenous people". Ending juvenile detention and Indigenous incarceration "except for the most serious offences". Reinstating traditional land management, including protection of rivers and sacred sites; Supporting Indigenous control of Indigenous school education and businesses; and Electing more Indigenous people to parliament. Where they're running: The senate in NSW, QLD and VIC. Lower house seats in NT, NSW and WA. The Jacqui Lambie Network was formed in 2015 and believes that "politics should be open to everyone, not just the entitled political class". Historically it has supported working class "battlers" and welfare recipients. Defending veterans and implementing recommendations from the Royal Commission into defence and veteran suicide; Tightening laws on how political donations are disclosed to the public; Supporting Australian manufacturing to "Make Australia Make Again"; and Establishing an inquiry into Chinese foreign interference. Where they're running: Senate seats in NSW, QLD, SA and TAS. Led by Queensland senator Bob Katter the party says they are the only ones "with the guts to fight for what really matters". That includes introducing tougher youth crime laws in Queensland so homeowners have the right to use lethal force in self-defence. Reduce youth crime and introduce a "Cattle Law" to allow homeowners to use lethal force in self-defence without legal repercussion; Loosen firearm laws, reduce crocodile numbers and cull flying foxes; Reduce cost of living and housing prices in Queensland. Where they're running: Both the Senate and lower house in QLD. As you may assume, the party seeks to legalise cannabis — regulating it in a similar way to alcohol and tobacco. The party website says, "getting a prescription for cannabis DOES NOT mean it is legal … do not let Australia go backwards at this election". Remove all arrests and historical criminal records of cannabis users; Allow all consumers and/or carers to grow cannabis in their gardens and indoors; Establish state-regulated testing facilities for producers, growers and consumers; and Establish an independent cannabis authority overseeing the personal use of cannabis. Where they're running: All states and territories. Formerly known as the Liberal Democrats, the party stands for individual liberty, free markets and small governments. Raise the income tax-free threshold to $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for couples; Biological gender policies including changing the definition of a woman in the Sex Discrimination Act; Introduce an immigration fee system, limit short-term visas and restrict access to citizenship; and Enshrine free speech into the Australian Constitution, abolish the Federal Department of Education as well as the e-Safety Commissioner. Where they're running: The Senate in NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and VIC. Hanson was jailed for electoral fraud in 2003. Her convictions were later overturned, and she was elected as a senator for Queensland in 2016. The One Nation website calls Hanson "a strong voice for the Australian people in the halls of power". Joint income taxing, allowing families with at least one dependent child to split income tax Deport 75,00 "illegal migrants", cap immigration visas at 130,00 per year and withdraw from the UN Refugee Convention; Abolish the Department of Climate Change as well as the National Indigenous Australians Agency; and Enshrine the right to free speech in the Constitution. Where they're running: All states and territories. The conservative party advocates for regional communities who "bear the brunt of self inner-city focused politics". They are calling for more self-reliance in defence and expanded rights for hunters and fishers. Reduced firearm regulations and abolish foreign land and water ownership; Increased funding for regional education, healthcare and infrastructure; Energy policy centred on nuclear power and "clean coal"; Increased free speech and data privacy laws; and Implementation of a national Bill of Rights. Where they're running: Lower house only in NSW. The Socialist Alliance party believes institutions including parliament, government, police and the military need to come "under the democratic control of ordinary people". Since 2001, they have campaigned for workers rights and more recently — affordable housing, an end to homelessness and the large-scale expansion of public housing. Immediate sanctions on Israel, including an end to all arms exports to Israel; Australia's withdrawal from , ANZUS and the Quad (a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan and the US); Zero carbon emissions and 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030; and Permanent protection for all refugees and their partners/children. Where they're running: Both the Senate and lower house in NSW and VIC. Senate only in QLD and WA. The party was established in 2010 with a mission to "de-corrupt politics for a fair and sustainable Australia". It aims to put the environment first and believes the economy is intertwined with society and the environment. Put the environment first and enshrine into law the "human right of a healthy natural environment"; Stop over-development and end the housing crisis; Slow population growth; and Create a diverse and equitable economy, including secure jobs. Where they're running: All states and territories. In February, Clive Palmer took over Trumpet of Patriots after he was unable to re-register his former party, the United Australia Party for the 2025 election. In that short time, Trumpet of Patriots has grown, with almost 100 candidates vying for lower house seats. Establish a Trump-like Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE); Cut immigration to "prioritise the needs of Australian citizens" and "migration from nations with compatible values"; Get the "woke agenda" out of schools and remove all Welcome to Country addresses ; and Exit the Paris Climate Agreement, end net zero targets and repeal the ban on nuclear energy. Where they're running: In all states in the Senate, plus almost 100 lower house seats. Similar to the Socialist Alliance party, the Victorian Socialists say they advocate "for the people, not the powerful". Their Victorian Senate candidate — Jordan van den Lamb (known as "purplepingers" online) has made headlines for his , which lists thousands of rental property reviews. Climate change and energy, including "public ownership and democratic control" over the energy industry; Price caps on grocery items and a five-year freeze on rent increases; and Increase hospital funding, expand Medicare and free health care. Where they're running: Both the Senate and lower house in VIC. Visit the to access articles, podcasts and videos from SBS News, NITV and our teams covering more than 60 languages. Auspol Australia Pauline Hanson Share this with family and friends
West Australian
02-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Federal election 2025: Liberal hopes could rest on One Nation preference in WA as voters abandon major parties
Preferences could decide a swag of key election battles in WA, with a new opinion poll revealing Pauline Hanson's One Nation could be the big winner as voters abandon both major parties. Labor's primary vote has slipped 2.8 per cent and the Liberal vote is down 3.8 per cent, according to the Demos AU poll that detected a 7.1 per cent surge to give One Nation 11 per cent of first preferences. That could help the Liberal party in key seats including Curtin, after a nationwide preference swap Labor has seized on. 'Peter Dutton has sold out principles for political gain,' WA Minister Madeleine King said. 'It's up to him to explain his actions to the Australian people. He has let himself and the Liberal party down.' Teal MP Kate Chaney has accused the Liberals of 'trickery' over a nationwide preference swap in 139 seats including Curtin, Brand and Fremantle. But the Liberal party has preferenced the Australian Christians second in other key WA seats, including Tangney and Pearce. One Nation WA Leader Rod Caddies, who will take up one of two Legislative Council seats won by the party at the recent State election, said the party has its sights set on the Senate and handing the Prime Ministership to Mr Dutton would be a welcome bonus. 'I guess it's a win for Australia if you're a conservative,' he said. 'I definitely think we're a good chance for a Senate seat. One Nation hasn't been present in WA, strong enough, over the last four years to realistically feel we can win the lower house seats. 'It's never impossible, however, you've got to be realistic. If we can increase our vote majorly, that's a step in the right direction.' One Nation's lead Senate candidate in WA is millionaire civil construction businessmen Tyron Whitten who, if successful, could ruin the Liberal party's chances of a third WA Senate seat. When asked if that was a sacrifice he was willing to make to win Curtin, Mr Dutton ignored the question. Mr Caddies listed income splitting for tax purposes and reducing alcohol excise as the party's policy priorities. 'We don't want to see people just drinking more, but we want to see them socialising more,' he said. 'We need to help the restaurants and bars and get people back out.' Mr Dutton avoided any mention of One Nation or Pauline Hanson when pressed on the preference swap in Myaree on Friday, instead turning the focus on Labor deals. 'It's about outcomes at the election,' he said. 'The outcome of the election that would be the worst for WA would be an Albanese-Bandt government, because it would mean Nature Positive which the Prime Minister won't look West Australians in the eye and tell them what it means. 'And don't forget that the teal Kate Chaney is working in lockstep with the Labor party. The Labor party is running soft in Curtin to support somebody that they know is a fellow traveller. Kate Chaney would support a Labor-Greens government and that would be bad for WA.' The Greens vote increased 2.5 per cent to 15 per cent, according to the Demos AU poll. The Liberal party is targeting Curtin, Bullwinkel, Tangney and Pearce in it's bid to claw back ground in WA after being turfed out by voters in five seats in 2022. The Demos AU poll of 4,100 voters released on Friday made for grim reading in Liberal HQ, with both major parties suffering a slump in support but Labor retain a nationwide edge, 52 to 48 per cent, when preferences were counted. Labor was even further ahead, 56 to 44 per cent two-party preferred, in WA. Anthony Albanese was ahead of Mr Dutton in the preferred PM stakes, 46 per cent to 34 per cent. But Mr Dutton received 43 per cent support from One Nation voters.
