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{{short description|Australian political party}} |
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The '''Liberal Democratic Party''' is a moderate libertarian [[Australia|Australian]] [[political party]] founded in [[2001]]. The party is registered in the [[Australian Capital Territory]]. |
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{{for|the similarly-named party disbanded in the 1980s|Libertarian Party of Australia}} |
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{{use Australian English|date=January 2014}} |
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{{use dmy dates|date=January 2014}} |
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{{Infobox political party |
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| name = Libertarian Party |
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| native_name = |
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| native_name_lang = |
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| logo = Libertarian Party (Australia) logo.png |
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| logo_size = |
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| caption = |
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| colorcode = {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}} |
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| abbreviation = LP |
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| president = Paul Barker<ref>{{cite web |date=15 January 2024|title= Our People |url=https://www.ldp.org.au/people}}</ref> |
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| leader2_title = |
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| leader2_name = |
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| leader3_title = |
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| leader3_name = |
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| leader4_title = |
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| leader4_name = |
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| leader5_title = |
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| leader5_name = |
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| founder = John Humphreys<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spectator.com.au/2021/08/how-can-anyone-own-the-word-liberal/ |title=How can anyone own the word 'liberal'? |last=Ruddick |first=John |date=31 August 2021 |website=spectator.com.au |publisher=[[The Spectator|The Spectator Australia]] }}</ref> |
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| founded = {{start date and age|2001}} |
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| registered = {{hlist|2007|2024{{efn|The party was first registered with the [[Australian Electoral Commission]] as the "Liberal Democratic Party" between 2007–2022.}}}} |
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| legalised = |
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| dissolved = |
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| merger = |
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| split = |
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| predecessor = |
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| merged = |
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| successor = |
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| headquarters = [[Mount Waverley, Victoria|Mount Waverley]], [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] |
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| newspaper = |
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| think_tank = |
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| student_wing = |
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| youth_wing = |
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| womens_wing = |
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| membership_year = |
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| membership = |
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| ideology = {{ubl|class=nowrap| |
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|[[Conservatism in Australia|Conservatism]]<ref name="Kagi-2017" /> |
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|[[Classical liberalism]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Bertram |first=Dean |date=21 September 2013 |title=In praise of Australia's Liberal Democrats |url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/australia/australia-features/9029251/in-praise-of-the-liberal-democrats/ |url-status=dead |work=[[The Spectator]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602161506/http://www.spectator.co.uk/australia/australia-features/9029251/in-praise-of-the-liberal-democrats/ |archive-date=2 June 2015}}</ref> |
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|[[Libertarianism]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Potter |first=Ben |date=26 October 2013 |title=Libertarianism gets a loudspeaker in David Leyonhjelm |url=http://www.afr.com/news/libertarianism-gets-a-loudspeaker-in-david-leyonhjelm-20131025-j07t5 |url-status=dead |work=[[The Australian Financial Review]] (AFR) |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105233146/http://www.afr.com/news/libertarianism-gets-a-loudspeaker-in-david-leyonhjelm-20131025-j07t5 |archive-date=5 November 2018 }}</ref> |
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|[[Right-libertarianism]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://jacobin.com/2021/09/australia-right-wing-libertarianism-liberal-democratic-party-anti-lockdown-covid-19 |title=Australia's Right-Wing Libertarians Are Trying to Capitalize on Anti-Lockdown Sentiment |last=Kelly |first=Dominic |date=22 September 2021 |website=jacobin.com |publisher=[[Jacobin (magazine)|Jacobin]] }}</ref>}} |
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| position = {{nowrap|[[Right-wing politics|Right-wing]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Davies |first=Anne |date=27 July 2021 |title=Rightwing Australian politicians use Covid lockdowns to promote challenge to Liberal party |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/27/rightwing-australian-politicians-use-covid-lockdowns-to-promote-challenge-to-liberal-party |work=Guardian Australia }}</ref>}} |
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| regional = |
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| international = [[International Alliance of Libertarian Parties]] |
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| affiliation1_title = |
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| affiliation1 = |
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| affiliation2_title = |
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| affiliation2 = |
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| colours = {{color box|{{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}|border=silver}} [[Yellow]] |
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| slogan = |
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| anthem = |
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| seats1_title = [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] |
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| seats1 = {{composition bar|0|151|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
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| seats2_title = [[Australian Senate|Senate]] |
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| seats2 = {{composition bar|0|76|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
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| seats3_title = [[Victorian Legislative Council]] |
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| seats3 = {{composition bar|1|40|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
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| seats4_title = [[New South Wales Legislative Council]] |
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| seats4 = {{composition bar|1|42|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
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| seats5_title = [[Surf Coast Shire]] |
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| seats5 = {{Composition bar|1|9|hex={{party colour|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
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| seats6_title = [[Wodonga City Council]] |
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| seats6 = {{Composition bar|1|7|hex={{party colour|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
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| flag = |
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| flag_title = |
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| flag_alt = |
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| website = {{URL|https://www.libertarians.org.au/|www.libertarians.org.au}} |
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| country = Australia |
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}} |
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[[File:Liberal_Democratic Party Australia 2021 Logo.png|thumb|150px|Party logo used briefly between 2021 and 2022]] |
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The '''Libertarian Party''', formerly known as the '''Liberal Democratic Party''' ('''LDP'''), is an [[Politics of Australia|Australian political party]] founded in [[Canberra]] in 2001. The party espouses smaller government and supports policies that are based on [[classical liberal]], [[libertarian]] principles,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/philosophy |title=LDP philosophy |publisher=Ldp.org.au |access-date=2013-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120011121/http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/philosophy |archive-date=20 November 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> such as lower taxes, opposing restrictions on [[civil liberties]], decentralisation, uranium mining, and the relaxation of smoking laws.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carey |first1=Adam |title=Party in the upper house: Who's who on new Victorian crossbench |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/victoria/party-in-the-upper-house-who-s-who-on-new-victorian-crossbench-20181211-p50li6.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=11 December 2018 |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref> |
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The party is registered in the [[Australian Capital Territory]], [[New South Wales]], [[South Australia]] and [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], as well as for federal elections with the [[Australian Electoral Commission]].<ref name="Reid">{{cite web |last1=Reid |first1=Joanne |title=NOTICE OF DECISION ON PARTY REGISTRATION DEREGISTERING A POLITICAL PARTY AND REMOVAL FROM THE REGISTER OF POLITICAL PARTIES LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY: Notice of decision under s 137(6) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Statement of Reasons |url=https://aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/Party_Registration/Deregistered_parties/files/statement-of-reasons-liberal-democratic-party-s137-deregistration-statement-of-reasons.pdf |website=AEC |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref> |
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== Philosophy == |
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==History== |
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The social policies of the LDP adhere to [[Libertarian]] philosophy. The LDP believes the ownership of property is a fundamental right that precedes the power of government. |
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=== Formation === |
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The Liberal Democratic Party was founded in 2001 as a political party registered in the [[Australian Capital Territory]]. It first contested elections in the [[2001 Australian Capital Territory general election|2001 ACT election]], receiving 1 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=2001 Election - First Preference Results |publisher=ACT Electoral Commission |url=http://www.elections.act.gov.au/ResSum01.htm |date=2005-03-08 |access-date=2007-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830094131/http://www.elections.act.gov.au/ResSum01.htm |archive-date=30 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The party also contested the [[2004 Australian Capital Territory general election|2004 ACT election]], receiving 1.3 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=2004 Election - First Preference Results |publisher=ACT Electoral Commission |url=http://www.elections.act.gov.au/ResSum04.html |date=2005-02-01 |access-date=2007-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830092634/http://www.elections.act.gov.au/ResSum04.html |archive-date=30 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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In 2006, changes to the Electoral Act by the Howard government forced all parties without parliamentary representation to deregister and re-register under stricter naming rules.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stephen|first=Mayne|title=Minor parties deregistered by Howard electoral law changes|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2006/06/29/minor-parties-deregistered-by-howard-electoral-law-changes/|access-date=22 October 2013|newspaper=Crikey|date=29 June 2006}}</ref> Advised by the Australian Electoral Commission that federal registration under the original name was uncertain given opposition by the [[Liberal Party of Australia]], the party chose to register federally as the Liberty and Democracy Party in 2007.<ref>{{cite news | edition = First | page = 18 | first1 = Mark |last1 = Davis |first2 = Erik |last2 = Jensen | title = Lots of trash 'n' treasure in micro-party bazaar | newspaper = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | date = 2007-11-12|url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/lots-of-trash-n-treasure-in-microparty-bazaar/2007/11/11/1194766506565.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 |access-date = 2011-01-17 }}</ref> The Liberty and Democracy Party contested [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 federal election]], winning 17,048 votes (0.14 percent) in the lower house and 16,942 votes (0.13 percent) in the upper house. |
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The LDP upholds the rights of property owners to not be subjected to unnecessary legislation created ''for their own good''. That includes commercial property owners giving permission to visitors to smoke or breast feed on their premises. |
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In 2008, the party successfully applied to the Australian Electoral Commission to change its federally registered name to Liberal Democratic Party.<ref>{{cite news | last = Mitchell | first = Alex | title = Tax-hating gun-lovers register political party | newspaper = [[Crikey]] | date = 2009-02-10 |url = http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/02/10/tax-hating-gun-lovers-register-political-party/ |access-date = 2011-01-17}}</ref> During this period, the party remained registered under its original name in the [[Australian Capital Territory]] (ACT).<ref>{{cite web|title=Register of political parties |publisher=ACT Electoral Commission |url=http://www.elections.act.gov.au/partyreg.html#register |date=2007-10-15 |access-date=2007-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830091255/http://www.elections.act.gov.au/partyreg.html |archive-date=30 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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Consistent with the principle of the principle of non-interference, the Party acknowledges and respects the rights of others to make their own choices, provided they also accept responsibility for their consequences. |
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=== Initial electoral contests === |
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The LDP considers the role of government to be limited to the prevention of coercion in the exercise of choice, including the protection of children, and to ensuring that the consequences of choice are not transferred to others. The LDP favours strong sanctions against crimes that infringe the rights of others, both deliberately and through negligence |
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In 2010, the party contested the [[2010 Australian federal election|2010 federal election]], receiving 1.8 percent of the national [[Australian Senate|senate]] vote<ref>{{cite web|title=First Preferences by Party|url=http://results.aec.gov.au/15508/Website/SenateStateFirstPrefsByGroup-15508-NAT.htm|publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]]|access-date=17 January 2011}}</ref> and an average of 1.3 percent across the 21 lower house seats it contested, with a best of 5.52 percent in [[Division of Gippsland|Gippsland]]. |
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In 2012, the Liberal Democratic Party had its first successful election win. Jeff Pettett was elected as a [[Councillor]] to the [[Ku-ring-gai Council#Current composition and election method|Ku-ring-gai Council]] in northern [[Sydney|metropolitan Sydney]] at the New South Wales local government elections, gaining 24 per cent of vote in the absence of Liberal Party candidates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/malicki-dominates-the-vote-for-her-sixth-term/ |title=Malicki dominates the vote for her sixth term |author=Bauche, David |date=12 September 2012 |access-date=22 September 2012 |work=Hornsby Advocate }}</ref> Clinton Mead was elected as a [[Councillor]] to the [[Campbelltown, New South Wales|Campbelltown]] Council in southern [[Sydney|metropolitan Sydney]] at the New South Wales local government elections. |
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== Social Policy Aims == |
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Prior to the [[2012 Ramsay state by-election|2012 Ramsay]] and [[2012 Port Adelaide state by-election|Port Adelaide state by-elections]] in South Australia, the polls in ''[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]]'' newspaper gave the LDP 23 percent and 14 percent of the vote respectively in the absence of Liberal Party candidates. The LDP ended up with votes of 13.3 percent and 7.3 percent respectively. The paper described the LDP as "a hardline liberal party that demands abolition of government welfare as well as the minimum wage, seatbelts and bike helmets. It backs legalisation of marijuana and increased freedom to access pornography".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/women-save-labors-seat/story-e6frea6u-1226248795934 |title=Female voters save Labor's seat |author=Wills, Daniel |work=The Advertiser |date=20 January 2012 |access-date=22 September 2012 }}</ref> |
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Some aims of the Liberal Democratic Party of Australia are to: |
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At the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 federal election]], LDP candidate [[David Leyonhjelm]] was elected to the Senate after polling the third highest vote in the state of [[New South Wales]] after the [[Liberal Party of Australia]] and the [[Australian Labor Party]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Damien Murphy |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/detours-ahead-as-minor-parties-claim-senate-balance-20130908-2te36.html |title=Detours ahead as minor parties claim Senate balance |publisher=Smh.com.au |date=2013-09-09 |access-date=2013-10-13}}</ref> According to Leyonhjelm, a portion of their vote probably came from their 'first position' on the long senate ballot paper and voters potentially being confused with his party and other contesting parties such as the Liberals, the [[Australian Democrats]] and the Christian Democratic Party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-09/nsw-sends-liberal-democrat-to-senate/4945080 |title=NSW sends pro-gun Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm to Senate |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=2013-09-09 |access-date=2013-10-13}}</ref> However, Leyonhjelm points to the fact that the Liberal Democrats' vote in South Australia, where they were fifth on the ballot, rose 3 percentage points. He also points to the fact that the [[donkey vote]] generally only produces swings of +1 or 2 percentage points to the party listed first on the ballot.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opinion/liberals-dont-live-up-to-their-name-unlike-the-ldp/story-e6frgd0x-1226730266349 | work=The Australian | title=Liberals don't live up to their name, unlike the LDP | date=1 October 2013}}</ref> Leyonhjelm organised preferences for several different, but closely entwined, political parties seeking election to the Senate, including the [[Outdoor Recreation Party]], [[Smokers' Rights Party]] and the [[Republican Party of Australia]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Crook|first=Andrew|title=Revealed: the libertarian Right's micro-party links|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/08/22/revealed-the-libertarian-rights-micro-party-links/|access-date=16 September 2013|newspaper=crikey.com.au|date=22 August 2013}}</ref> [[Australian Sex Party]] candidate [[Fiona Patten]] alleged Leyonhjelm intentionally failed to lodge ticket voting preferences forms, reneging on a preference deal,<ref>{{cite news|last=Dunckley|first=Mathew|title=Faulty fax machine blamed in Sex Party spat over Senate seat|url=http://www.afr.com/p/national/faulty_fax_machine_blamed_seat_sex_MitiCX50WGyNFbGbzexZHO|access-date=23 September 2013|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|date=16 September 2013}}</ref> but Leyonhjelm claimed that there was a mistake entering the AEC fax number.<ref>{{cite news|last=Swan|first=Jonathan|title=Sex Party points finger at minor rival over preference form bungle|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sex-party-points-finger-at-minor-rival-over-preference-form-bungle-20130916-2ttvb.html|access-date=16 September 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 September 2013}}</ref> The Liberal Democrats were not involved in [[Glenn Druery]]'s [[Minor Party Alliance]] during the election which assisted in negotiating preference flows between minor parties.<ref>Dylan Welch (1 April 2014). [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-31/senate-electoral-inquiry-could-put-end-to-preference-trading/5357558 "Senate voting inquiry prompted by Glenn Druery's election tactics could put end to preference trading"] – ABC.net.au. Retrieved 11 April 2014.</ref> On 1 July 2014, David Leyonhjelm became the Liberal Democratic Party's first senator. |
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* Abolish all affirmative action programmes as they are discriminatory patronising and unfair. |
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Shortly after David Leyonhjelm's Senate victory, Liberal Democrats councillor [[Clinton Mead]] was elected Mayor of the [[City of Campbelltown (New South Wales)|City of Campbelltown]] in New South Wales.<ref name="New Mayors for Campbelltown and Camden">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/macarthur/clinton-mead-named-campbelltown-mayor-and-camden-mayor-lara-symkowiak-returned/story-fngr8h70-1226716711785|title=New Mayors for Campbelltown and Camden}}</ref> |
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* Abolish all government funded programmes and bodies that cater to particular ethnic, religious or gender groups. All Australians should be regarded as equal before the law, and be granted equality of opportunity. |
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In 2015, the Liberal Democrats registered with the [[Victorian Electoral Commission]] (VEC), and announced it would field upper-house candidates in the upcoming [[2014 Victorian state election|Victorian state election]] on 29 November 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/lib-dems-to-stand-candidates-for-vic-poll/story-fn3dxiwe-1227113961390?nk=d52a10475dd47065df1daa80f5297820 |title=Lib Dems to stand candidates for Vic poll |author=Rose, Danny |date=5 November 2014 |access-date=9 November 2014 |work=The Australian }}</ref> |
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* Abolish government funding for ineffective bodies such as the Anti Discrimination Commission and Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia. |
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In 2016, the Liberal Party sought to challenge the name of the party with the electoral commission, but ultimately abandoned the action.<ref>{{cite news|title=Leyonhjelm wins 'Liberal' tag battle|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/31084905/leyonhjelm-wins-liberal-tag-battle/|access-date=12 April 2016|newspaper=Yahoo|date=13 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420084130/https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/31084905/leyonhjelm-wins-liberal-tag-battle/|archive-date=20 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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David Leyonhjelm was re-elected with a 3.1 percent (−6.4) primary vote, or 139,000 votes, at the [[2016 Australian federal election|2016 double dissolution federal election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/federal-election-2016/results/senate/#snsw |title=Senate Results - Australia Votes - Federal Election 2016 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=2017-04-06}}</ref> Gabriel Buckley, the LDP's lead candidate in Queensland, marginally misses out on a seat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/pauline-hansons-one-nation-claims-two-senate-spots-for-queensland/news-story/83884ee6b67eca4c43a82c044cb5a0c4|title=One Nation claims four Senate seats|date=4 August 2016|newspaper=Townsville Bulletin}}</ref> |
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* Remove the power of all bodies except courts to issue binding decisions on matters such as Discrimination, Harassment, Unfair Dismissal and Vilification. |
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WA elections were held 11 March 2017, where the states first LDP member, [[Aaron Stonehouse]], was elected.<ref name="New Mayors for Campbelltown and Camden" /> |
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* Amend relevant legislation so that marriage between two individuals has the same consequences irrespective of whether they were of the same or different gender. |
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In May 2017, former [[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)|Leader of the Opposition]] and political commentator [[Mark Latham]] left the [[Australian Labor Party]] and joined the LDP.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/may/08/mark-latham-joins-liberal-democrats-and-sparks-speculation-of-return-to-politics|date=8 May 2017|title=Mark Latham joins Liberal Democrats and sparks speculation of return to politics|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> |
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* Decriminalise activities in which the participant is the only person likely to suffer adverse consequences. Examples include failing to wear a seatbelt or crash helmet, BASE jumping and bungy jumping. |
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In 2018, candidates [[Tim Quilty]] and [[David Limbrick]] were elected to the [[Victorian Legislative Council]] (state upper house). In the same year, [[Mark Latham]] left the party to become the leader of [[Pauline Hanson's One Nation|One Nation]] NSW division.<ref>[https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/mark-latham-expected-to-announce-hes-joining-one-nation/news-story/94e838cb3385f8eade46bd69819e35c7 "Mark Latham joins One Nation as NSW leader"].</ref> |
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* Decriminalise the consumption of pornography involving adults by adults (with safeguards to protect children). |
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In 2019, David Leyonhjelm announced that he will be quitting federal parliament in order to contest the [[2019 New South Wales state election|New South Wales state election]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-07/david-leyonhjelm-quits-federal-politics-to-run-in-nsw-election/10696090|title=David Leyonhjelm to quit federal politics and contest NSW election|last=Cockburn|first=Paige|date=2019-01-07|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-01-08}}</ref> This resulted in [[Duncan Spender]] being sworn in to fill Leyonhjelm's former seat until the [[2019 Australian federal election|next Federal election]].<ref>{{cite news|work=[[Manning River Times]]|title=New senator vows to make short week count|url=https://www.manningrivertimes.com.au/story/5986069/new-senator-vows-to-make-short-week-count/?cs=9397|date=1 April 2019}}</ref> David Leyonhjelm did not get elected in the 2019 New South Wales election, securing only 0.46 of a seat quota.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stewart |first1=Selby |last2=Coleman |first2=Oscar |title=Leyonhjelm fails in NSW Upper House bid, Animal Justice Party claims seat |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-15/nsw-election-results-david-leyonhjelm-misses-out-on-seat/11002814 |website=ABC News |access-date=29 June 2019 |language=en-AU |date=15 April 2019}}</ref> Duncan Spender also lost their Senate seat in the 2019 election. |
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* Decriminalise abortion: other than for later term abortions where the foetus would be viable if born naturally. |
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In the Victorian Local Government election of 2020, the party fielded 11 candidates state-wide. Two endorsed candidates were elected, Olga Quilty in Wodonga with a 5.83% first preference vote against 18 other candidates and Paul Barker in Torquay with a 11.67% first preference vote against 9 other candidates. |
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* Decriminalise prostitution involving adults. |
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* Decriminalise assisted suicide where a free and informed choice has been made. |
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=== Recent developments === |
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== Economic Policy: Reform 30/30 == |
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On 18 May 2017, the Liberal Democratic Party formed a 'conservative bloc' with [[Pauline Hanson's One Nation|One Nation]] and the [[Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party]] in the [[Western Australia Legislative Council]].<ref name="Kagi-2017">{{cite news|date=2017-05-18|last1=Kagi|first1=Jacob|last2=Strutt|first2=Jessica|title=WA politics: Upper House conservative bloc pledges to work with government|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-18/conservative-minor-party-bloc-to-hold-sway-over-wa-upper-house/8538206|access-date=2021-11-23}}</ref> |
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Victorian MPs Quilty and Limbrick became outspoken critics of the Victorian Parliament, the Federal Parliament, and Australia's COVID response in whole. On August 17, 2021, while the Victorian Parliament was closed due to restrictions, the two protested park closures on the steps of Parliament in the presence of armed police.<ref>{{Citation|title=2-man protest by LibDems MPs outside the Victorian Parliament|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu4rXyB-Z7A|language=en|access-date=2021-11-23}}</ref> They refused to comply with a vaccine mandate for MP's, with Limbrick publicly destroying his vaccination status card.<ref>{{Citation|title=Limbrick cuts up vaccination card - LibDems stand against medical apartheid|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqMyd3yVzRc|language=en|access-date=2021-11-23}}</ref> |
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''Much has been said about the need for tax and welfare reform in Australia, but the tyranny of the status quo and self-imposed limitations such as 'budget neutrality' and no 'person-worse-off' relegate any usual reform proposal to failure. Consequently, the LDP does not argue for incremental reform. Instead it offers a new template from which to consider tax and welfare issues, a tax revolution: Reform 30/30.'' |
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In July 2021, [[Campbell Newman]], the former Premier of [[Queensland]] and Leader of the [[Liberal National Party of Queensland]], resigned from the LNP, stating the LNP candidate in the [[2021 Stretton state by-election]] was "let down by a party and leadership that never stands up for anything".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-26/campbell-newman-resigns-from-liberal-national-party/100322492|title=Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman quits the Liberal National Party|last=McKenna|first=Kate|date=26 July 2021|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=22 May 2022}}</ref> In August 2021, he announced he had joined the LDP to run as the party's lead Senate candidate in Queensland at the [[2022 Australian federal election]]. |
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The LDP aims to reduce Government taxation and spending. It aims to eradicate the 'proverty trap' and remove disincentives against getting a job. |
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On 16 October 2021, Quilty, Limbrick, and other opposition MPs were ejected from Victorian Parliament for refusing to disclose their vaccination status.<ref>{{Citation|title=MPs kicked out of Parliament over vax status privacy! - Tim Quilty's speech|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQjAy-01XhE|language=en|access-date=2021-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=MPs kicked out of Parliament over vax status privacy! - David Limbrick's speech|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPzi8nZrXoA|language=en|access-date=2021-11-23}}</ref> After two weeks of exclusion, the MP's submitted their vaccination status on October 28, 2021, in order to return to parliament to oppose the legislative agenda of the government.<ref>{{Citation|title="We've listened, we're going back in to fight" - Exiled MPs return to Parliament|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbYG4qF426k|language=en|access-date=2021-11-23}}</ref> |
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The LDP propose a sliding scale of payments (called a Negative Income Tax or NIT) that would phase out at 30% and finish at an income of $30,000. |
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On 23 November 2021, the LDP announced a preference deal with the [[United Australia Party (2013)|United Australia Party]] in the upcoming Australian elections where each party would encourage its members to choose the other as their second preference.<ref>{{Citation|title=LibDems-UAP preference deal announced|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWQDdAiSHRI|language=en|access-date=2021-11-23}}</ref> |
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For example, if you earned $0, you would receive 30% of $30,000 ($9000). If you earned $10,000, you would receive 30% of $20,000 ($6000). If you earn $25,000, you would receive 30% of $5000 ($1500). This would involve a cut in payments to the unemployed and an increase in payments to low-income earners. |
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On 24 November 2021, Krystle Mitchell − an acting Senior Sergeant of [[Victoria Police]] who resigned after speaking publicly against enforcing health orders − announced she would be running for the Senate with the LDP as the second candidate on their ticket in Victoria.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.northernbeachesreview.com.au/story/7462881/vic-cop-quits-over-enforcing-health-orders/|title=Vic cop quits over enforcing health orders|last=Woods|first=Emily|date=9 October 2021|work=Northern Beaches Review|accessdate=22 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=1463766249112948742|user=LibDemAus|title=Krystle Mitchell is our #2 candidate for Victoria in the Senate. Catch her interview with @discernableco here|date=25 November 2021}}</ref> |
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The NIT removes the need for the minimum wage. Instead of legislating for higher wages, the NIT allows wages to stay at their market rate and instead supplements low incomes with an NIT payment. This would make the minimum wage obsolete. |
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On 8 April 2022, Senator [[Sam McMahon]] joined the party after defecting from the [[Country Liberal Party]] in January.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-08 |title=NT politician Sam McMahon joins ex-Queensland premier's party to run for re-election |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-08/sam-mcmahon-announces-federal-senate-election-bid-nt/100975390 |access-date=2022-04-08}}</ref> This gave the federal parliamentary representation to the Liberal Democratic Party. McMahon would also be the lead Senate candidate for the party at the May federal election. She was unsuccessful in her election and the party lost parliamentary representation. AEC's consideration to deregister the party continued after the writs for the election were returned in June, and the party was deregistered at the federal level on 19 July 2022.<ref name="Reid"/> |
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Reform 30/30 means that the effective marginal tax rate (EMTR) is always 30%. The EMTR measures how much of an additional dollar earned goes to the government. Under the current system the EMTR is variable and high. One cause of high EMTRs for people on low-incomes is the overlap of paying income tax and losing welfare payments. This can lead to EMTRs of up to 80% on some of the poorest people in Australia. |
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===Name change=== |
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For full details on this reform policy please refer to Reform 30/30: Rebuilding Australia's Tax and Welfare Systems by John Humphreys: http://www.cis.org.au/publications/policymonographs/pm70.pdf |
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[[File:Liberal Democratic Party Australia 2022 Logo.png|170px|thumb|Logo used from 2022 until the party rename]] |
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Due to changes in the ''[[Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918]]'' and a subsequent objection to the party's name by the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]], the Liberal Democratic Party applied to the [[Australian Electoral Commission]] (AEC) to change its name to the Liberty and Democracy Party in February 2022 in order to remain registered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-09/liberal-democrats-lose-high-court-bid-to-keep-party-name/100894356|title=Liberal Democrats lose High Court bid to keep party name|publisher=ABC News|date=9 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/Party_Registration/applications/files/2022/advertisement-change-of-name-liberal-democratic-party.pdf|title=Register of Political Parties - Liberal Democratic Party|website=Australian Electoral Commission|access-date=22 March 2022}}</ref> The party then withdrew the name change application on 22 March 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/Party_Registration/Registration_Decisions/2022/liberal-democratic-party-statement-of-reasons.pdf|title=Notice of Party Registration Decision - Application to Change the Register of Political Parties - Liberal Democratic Party|website=Australian Electoral Commission|date=1 April 2022}}</ref> On 1 April 2022, the AEC gave notice to the party that it would consider deregistering the latter, giving one month for the party to appeal the notice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/Party_Registration/applications/files/2022/web-notice-of-intention-to-deregister-liberal-democratic-party.pdf|title=Notice of intention to deregister - Liberal Democratic Party|website=Australian Electoral Commission|date=1 April 2022}}</ref> However, as the writs for the [[2022 Australian federal election|May federal election]] were issued the following week on 11 April, the party register then would be "frozen" and this meant the party was allowed to contest the election with its current name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://antonygreen.com.au/loophole-allows-liberal-democrats-to-retain-party-name/|title=Loophole allows Liberal Democrats to Retain their Party Name|publisher=Antony Green's Election Blog|date=5 April 2022|access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref> |
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In May 2023, LDP members voted on a new name for the party.<ref>{{cite web |title=Liberal Democrats face identity crisis over forced name change |date=18 April 2023 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/liberal-democrats-face-identity-crisis-over-forced-name-change-20230417-p5d110.html |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Make schools businesses: Liberal Democrats MP on profit-motive education |date=23 April 2023 |url=https://www.6newsau.com/post/make-schools-businesses-liberal-democrats-mp-on-profit-motive-education |publisher=6 News Australia}}</ref> The party adopted the new name "Libertarian Party", and the logo of the party bears the abbreviation of the new name "LP". |
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== History == |
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The [[Victorian Electoral Commission]] received an application from the party about a name change in June 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Application to change a registered political party's name |url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/about-us/media/8-june-application-to-change-a-registered-political-party-name |publisher=Victorian Electoral Commission}}</ref> On 16 July 2023, all state party branches, with the exception of New South Wales, formally changed their names to the Libertarian Party.<ref>{{cite web |title=You may have noticed some changes, and wondered what it was all about! |url=https://twitter.com/LibertariansAus/status/1680336642962509825 |website=Twitter |publisher=Libertarian Party}}</ref> In October 2023, the party also applied for party registration federally with the AEC under the new party name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/Party_Registration/applications/files/2023/advertisement-libertarian-party.pdf|title=Notice of application for registration as a political party|website=Australian Electoral Commission|date=20 October 2023|access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref> The federal party registration was approved on 12 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/Party_Registration/Registration_Decisions/2024/Registration-approved-Notice-Libertarian-Party.pdf|title=Registration of a political party Libertarian Party|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|date=12 January 2024|access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref> |
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The LDP was founded by [[John Humphreys]] in 2001 and was registered in the ACT later that year. They contested their first election for the ACT legislative assembly in October 2001, running candidates in all seats and receiving 1% of the vote (around 2000 votes). |
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The party contested under the new name for the first time at the [[2023 Mulgrave state by-election|Mulgrave state by-election]] in Victoria in November 2023,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=_davidlimbrick |title=I'm proud to announce that Ethelyn King is the very first Libertarian Party candidate, running for the seat of Mulgrave. |number=1714085831168897382 |first=David |last=Limbrick |date=17 October 2023 |author-link=David Limbrick |archive-date=17 November 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/esiCH |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/current-elections/mulgrave-district-by-election/mulgrave-district-by-election-results/results-by-district/mulgrave-district-results|title=Mulgrave District by-election results|website=Victorian Electoral Commission}}</ref> and federally at the [[2024 Dunkley by-election|Dunkley by-election]] in March 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dunkley, VIC |url=https://tallyroom.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionPage-29778-210.htm |website=AEC Tally Room |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref> |
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In the 2004 ACT election they again ran candidates in all seats and received 1.3% of the vote. |
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== Policies and political positions == |
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They did not run candidates in the [[Australian legislative election, 2004|federal elections of 2004]]. |
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The LDP states that it adheres to [[classical liberal]], [[small government]] and ''[[laissez-faire]]'' principles coupled with what the party considers as a high regard for [[individual freedom]] and [[individual responsibility]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Principles|publisher=Liberal Democratic Party|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1148&Itemid=498|access-date=2010-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718075636/http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1148&Itemid=498|archive-date=18 July 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> LDP supported policies include:<ref>{{cite web|title=Policies|publisher=Liberal Democratic Party|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=101&Itemid=290|access-date=2010-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801040932/http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=101&Itemid=290|archive-date=1 August 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | edition = 1 - FIRST | page = 4 | last = Kroehn | first = Chantelle |author2=Adam Todd | title = 'Local' candidates are anything but | newspaper = [[Guardian Messenger]] | date = 2007-11-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Policies|publisher=Liberal Democratic Party|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1155:health-returning-control-to-the-consumer&catid=101:policies&Itemid=290|access-date=2010-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805063552/http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1155:health-returning-control-to-the-consumer&catid=101:policies&Itemid=290|archive-date=5 August 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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=== National Policy === |
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In 2005 John Humphreys was replaced by David McAlary as Party President. |
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* Opposes government imposed restrictions and mandates curtailing [[Civil liberties|personal freedoms]]<ref name="Liberal Democrats-2022">{{cite web |title=Freedom Manifesto |url=https://assets.nationbuilder.com/ldp/pages/6414/attachments/original/1646898607/Liberal_Democrats_-_Freedom_Manifesto-final.pdf?1646898607 |year=2022 |publisher=Liberal Democrats |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref> |
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* Support of [[Citizen initiated referendum|citizen-initiated referendums]], [[Fixed-term election|fixed parliamentary terms]], [[recall election]]s and voluntary voting<ref name="Liberal Democrats-2022"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1145-democracy |title=Democracy |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304162653/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1145-democracy |archive-date= 4 March 2015 }}</ref> |
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* Federal budgets which are neither in surplus, nor deficit, but [[Balanced budget|balanced]]<ref name="Liberal Democrats-2022"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1266-budget |title=Budget |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228095127/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1266-budget |archive-date=28 February 2015 }}</ref> |
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* Support of a 20% [[Flat tax|flat rate]] [[income tax]] with a $40,000 [[Income tax threshold|tax free threshold]]<ref name="Liberal Democrats-2022"/><ref name="Taxation">{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1164-taxation |title=Taxation |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228095117/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1164-taxation |archive-date=28 February 2015 }}</ref> |
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* Supports voluntary [[pension|superannuation]]<ref name="Liberal Democrats-2022"/> |
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* Supports freezing and [[Decentralization|decentralising]] the [[minimum wage]]<ref name="Liberal Democrats-2022"/> |
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* Supports utilisation of [[Nuclear power|nuclear energy]]<ref name="Liberal Democrats-2022"/> |
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* Supports [[Decentralization|decentralising]] [[education]]<ref name="Liberal Democrats-2022"/> |
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* Supports [[Freedom of speech|free speech]] and opposes [[censorship]] (supports no government censorship of the internet)<ref name="Liberal Democrats-2022"/> |
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* Opposes [[mass surveillance]] and [[Digital Identity|digital identities]]<ref name="Liberal Democrats-2022"/><ref name="Assisted Suicide">{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1142-assisted-suicide |title=Assisted Suicide |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228095205/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1142-assisted-suicide |archive-date=28 February 2015 }}</ref> |
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=== Current and past policies and views{{Vague|date=February 2024|reason= It should be made clear which of these policies are current and which are "past" i.e. historical and split into two separate sections. How this is currently handled makes it impossible to tell from looking at the section which are current and which are not}} === |
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On January 7, 2007, the Party held its first National Conference. |
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* Ending the [[war on drugs]] - by legalisation of all drugs that are less harmful than both [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]] and [[tobacco]] (for example [[cannabis]]) and decriminalisation of all other drugs<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/drug_reform |access-date=2017-07-24|publisher=Liberal Democratic Party|title=Drug Reform}}</ref> |
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* Supporting the implementation of [[pill testing]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/refusal-to-test-pills-stupid-leyonhjelm|title=Refusal to test pills 'stupid': Leyonhjelm|website=SBS News}}</ref> |
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* Legalisation of [[assisted suicide]]<ref name="Assisted Suicide"/> |
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* Abolition of [[Involuntary treatment|coercive psychiatry]]{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} |
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* Ending [[political correctness]] and [[nanny state]] control (e.g. the now-lifted [[Sydney lockout laws]]) |
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* Support of competitive [[Federalism in Australia|federalism]] and political [[Decentralization|decentralisation]] |
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* Support of extensive [[privatization|privatisation]] and [[deregulation]]: end government ownership of business enterprises including the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]], [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]], [[Australia Post]], government owned public schools, government owned public hospitals, electricity generation and public transport services |
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* Extensive reduction of taxes and fines, [[industrial relations]] regulations and [[government spending]] including [[Social security in Australia|welfare]], [[Health care in Australia|health]] and the [[Australian Defence Force|military]], replacing most with a compulsory superannuation payment to fund social services and compulsory insurance cover for those whose balance does not meet a mandated minimum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1167-welfare |title=Welfare |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304162700/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1167-welfare |archive-date= 4 March 2015 }}</ref> |
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* Support for [[commercial off-the-shelf]] and military off-the-shelf defense acquisitions where possible<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1218-policy-on-defence |title=Defence |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228095155/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1218-policy-on-defence |archive-date=28 February 2015 }}</ref> |
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* Deregulate industry to the greatest extent possible to build its [[Competition (economics)|international competitiveness]] |
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* Support of extensive [[free market]]s and [[free trade]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1153-free-trade |title=Free Trade |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313032056/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1153-free-trade |archive-date=13 March 2015 }}</ref> |
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* Support of the most efficient and effective electricity generation, with no options off the table<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1147-energy |title=Energy |access-date=2014-11-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205160756/http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1147-energy |archive-date= 5 December 2014 }}</ref> |
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* Support of market over government responses to [[climate change]] |
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* Opposition to industry [[Subsidy|subsidies]] including [[corporate welfare]] |
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* Support the relaxation of foreign investment requirements and removal of restrictions against foreign ownership |
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* Call for reform to the anti-dumping legislation{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} |
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* Opening up and removing the locking up of our state forests and national parks and proper management and conservation to prevent bushfires |
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* Support for increasing barriers for immigrants to acquire Australian citizenship |
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* Maximisation of freedom of travel administered by a general [[immigration tariff]] on all non-humanitarian [[Immigration to Australia|immigrants]] from other nations to replace the existing quota system<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1156-immigration |title=Immigration |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228095122/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1156-immigration |archive-date=28 February 2015 }}</ref> |
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* Support of [[free migration]] agreements with more nations such as the [[Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement|current Australia/New Zealand agreement]] |
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* Unauthorised arrivals temporarily detained for health and security checks, transparent process for determining refugee status, community release under bail-like conditions while status is determined{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} |
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* Removal of [[sin tax]]es (including for alcohol and tobacco)<ref name="Taxation"/> |
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* Equality before the law, including opposition to [[affirmative action]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1274-equality-before-the-law |title=Equality before the law |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228095055/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1274-equality-before-the-law |archive-date=28 February 2015 }}</ref> |
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* Support of [[Private property|property]] owners' rights |
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* Support of [[motocross]], cycling, fishing, [[bushwalking]], hunting, logging, [[4WD]] and [[shooting]] rights |
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* Opposition to government-mandated food labelling for religious purposes<ref name="Liberal Democrats">{{cite web|work=Liberal Democrats|title=Religion|url=https://www.ldp.org.au/religion|access-date=3 September 2018}}</ref> |
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* Decriminalise means to [[Self-defence (Australia)|self-defence]] (including pepper spray, tasers and firearms under some circumstances)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/lindt-cafe-hostages-like-the-rest-of-us-denied-the-practical-right-to-selfdefence-20141218-129q4r.html |title=Lindt cafe hostages, like the rest of us, denied the practical right to self-defence |publisher=Smh.com.au |date=2014-12-18 |access-date=2017-04-06}}</ref> |
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* Restore to the [[States and territories of Australia|States]] the power to impose income taxes and other taxes currently reserved to the Commonwealth<ref name="Competitive Federalism">{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1144-competitive-federalism |title=Competitive Federalism |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304162647/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1144-competitive-federalism |archive-date= 4 March 2015 }}</ref> |
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* Cease all Commonwealth involvement in health and education<ref name="Competitive Federalism"/> |
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* [[Marriage privatisation]] or getting the government out of the marriage business<ref>[http://www.ldp.org.au/lifestyle_choices "Lifestyle Choices"].</ref> |
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* Some support for [[Pacific Solution]] of regional processing of asylum seekers in [[Nauru]] and [[Papua New Guinea]]<ref>[https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/nsw/david_leyonhjelm/policies/16 "David Leyonhjelm voted moderately for regional processing of asylum seekers"].</ref> |
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* Exemption for Sikh Australians from mandatory helmet laws<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/leyonhjelm/compulsory-helmet-laws-are-discriminatory-d09e02f578c4|title=Compulsory helmet laws are discriminatory|first=Former Senator David|last=Leyonhjelm|date=23 August 2018|website=Medium}}</ref> |
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* Opposition to the introduction of laws for individual groups, such as [[Sharia law]] or Aboriginal law<ref name="Liberal Democrats"/> |
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* Opposition to government-funded [[foreign aid]], other than short-term [[Humanitarian aid|humanitarian relief]], in favour of [[Charitable organization|private charity]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1265-foreign-aid |title=Foreign Aid |access-date=2015-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228095200/http://ldp.org.au/index.php/policies/1265-foreign-aid |archive-date=28 February 2015 }}</ref> |
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== Election results == |
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==External links== |
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=== Federal parliament === |
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{|class=wikitable |
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|+[[Australian Senate|Senate]] |
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|- |
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!Election year |
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!No. of<br />overall votes |
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!% of<br />overall vote |
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!No. of<br />overall seats won |
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!No. of<br />overall seats |
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!+/– |
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|- |
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![[2007 Australian federal election|2007]] |
|||
|16,942 |
|||
|0.13 |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|40|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|76|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|— |
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|- |
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![[2010 Australian federal election|2010]] |
|||
|230,191 |
|||
|1.81 |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|40|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|76|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{steady}} 0 |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2013 Australian federal election|2013]] |
|||
|523,831 |
|||
|3.91 |
|||
|{{composition bar|1|40|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{composition bar|1|76|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{increase}} 1 |
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|- |
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![[2016 Australian federal election|2016]] |
|||
|298,915 |
|||
|2.16 |
|||
|{{composition bar|1|76|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{composition bar|1|76|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{steady}} 0 |
|||
|- |
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![[2019 Australian federal election|2019]] |
|||
|169,735 |
|||
|1.16 |
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|{{composition bar|0|40|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|76|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{decrease}} 1 |
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|- |
|||
![[2022 Australian federal election|2022]] |
|||
|340,132 |
|||
|2.26 |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|40|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|76|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{steady}} 0 |
|||
|} |
|||
=== State parliament === |
|||
* [http://www.ldp.org.au/ Liberal Democratic Party of Australia] official site |
|||
==== New South Wales ==== |
|||
* [http://www.ldpblog.wordpress.com/ LDP blog] |
|||
{|class=wikitable |
|||
* http://www.cis.org.au/publications/policymonographs/pm70.pdf |
|||
|+[[New South Wales Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] |
|||
|- |
|||
!Election year |
|||
!No. of<br />overall votes |
|||
!% of<br />overall vote |
|||
!No. of<br />overall seats |
|||
!+/– |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2019 New South Wales state election|2019]] |
|||
|96,999 |
|||
|2.18 |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|42|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
| — |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2023 New South Wales state election|2023]] |
|||
|162,755 |
|||
|3.3 |
|||
|{{composition bar|1|42|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
| {{increase}} 1 |
|||
|} |
|||
==== South Australia ==== |
|||
{|class=wikitable |
|||
|+[[South Australian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] |
|||
|- |
|||
!Election year |
|||
!No. of<br />overall votes |
|||
!% of<br />overall vote |
|||
!No. of<br />overall seats |
|||
!+/– |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2014 South Australian state election|2014]] |
|||
|6,091 |
|||
|0.6% |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|22|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|— |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2018 South Australian state election|2018]] |
|||
|25,956 |
|||
|2.47 |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|22|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|— |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2022 South Australian state election|2022]] |
|||
|36,445 |
|||
|3.35 |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|22|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|— |
|||
|} |
|||
==== Victoria ==== |
|||
{{election australia}} |
|||
{|class=wikitable |
|||
|+[[Victorian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] |
|||
|- |
|||
!Election year |
|||
!No. of<br />overall votes |
|||
!% of<br />overall vote |
|||
!No. of<br />overall seats |
|||
!+/– |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2014 Victorian state election|2014]] |
|||
|104,516 |
|||
|3.06 |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|40|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2018 Victorian state election|2018]] |
|||
|89,428 |
|||
|2.50 |
|||
|{{composition bar|2|40|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{increase}} 2 |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2022 Victorian state election|2022]] |
|||
|99,054 |
|||
|2.64 |
|||
|{{composition bar|1|40|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{decrease}} 1 |
|||
|} |
|||
==== Western Australia ==== |
|||
[[Category:Liberal parties]] |
|||
{|class=wikitable |
|||
[[Category:Political parties in Australia]] |
|||
|+[[Western Australian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] |
|||
|- |
|||
!Election year |
|||
!No. of<br />overall votes |
|||
!% of<br />overall vote |
|||
!No. of<br />overall seats |
|||
!+/– |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2017 Western Australian state election|2017]] |
|||
|23,848 |
|||
|1.77 |
|||
|{{composition bar|1|36|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{increase}} 1 |
|||
|- |
|||
![[2021 Western Australian state election|2021]] |
|||
|9,218 |
|||
|0.64 |
|||
|{{composition bar|0|36|hex={{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)}}}} |
|||
|{{decrease}} 1 |
|||
|} |
|||
==Elected representatives== |
|||
===Current=== |
|||
====[[Victorian Legislative Council]]==== |
|||
*[[David Limbrick]] (2018–2022; 2022–present) |
|||
====[[New South Wales Legislative Council]]==== |
|||
* [[John Ruddick]] (2023–present) |
|||
====[[Surf Coast Shire|Surf Coast Shire Council]]==== |
|||
* Paul Barker (2020–present) |
|||
====[[City of Wodonga|Wodonga City Council]]==== |
|||
* Olga Quilty (2020–present) |
|||
===Former=== |
|||
====[[Australian Senate|Senate]]==== |
|||
* [[David Leyonhjelm]] (2014–2019) |
|||
* [[Duncan Spender]] (2019) |
|||
* [[Sam McMahon]] (2022) |
|||
====[[Victorian Legislative Council]]==== |
|||
* [[Tim Quilty]] (2018–2022) |
|||
====[[Western Australia Legislative Council]]==== |
|||
*[[Aaron Stonehouse]] (2017–2021) |
|||
====[[City of Campbelltown (New South Wales)|Campbelltown City Council]]==== |
|||
* Clinton Mead (2012–2016) |
|||
====[[Shire of East Gippsland|East Gippsland Shire Council]]==== |
|||
* Ben Buckley (2012–2020) |
|||
====[[North Sydney Council]]==== |
|||
* Samuel Gunning (2017–2021) |
|||
====[[Ku-ring-gai Council]]==== |
|||
* Jeff Pettett (2012–2017) |
|||
====[[City of Wodonga|Wodonga City Council]]==== |
|||
* [[Tim Quilty]] (2016–2018) |
|||
== Donors == |
|||
The Australia Institute's 2019 report found that the Liberal Democratic Party had received political donations of $37,311 from pro-gun groups between July 2011 and March 2019. The report contextualises their donations as similar in value to the Nationals, Labor and Country Alliance, whilst being less than those to Katter's Australia Party, the Shooters Party, and the Liberal Party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-27/australian-gun-lobby-as-well-organised-as-nra-report-finds/10940384|title=Gun lobby's 'concerted and secretive' bid to undermine Australian laws|last=Knowles|first=Lorna|date=2019-03-27|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Point blank: Political strategies of Australia's gun lobby|url=https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/point-blank-political-strategies-of-australias-gun-lobby/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=The Australia Institute|date=27 March 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
|||
== See also == |
|||
* [[List of political parties in Australia]] |
|||
== Notes == |
|||
{{notelist}} |
|||
== References == |
|||
{{reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
*[http://www.ldp.org.au/ Official website] |
|||
{{Australian political parties}} |
|||
{{political parties in Victoria (Australia)}} |
|||
{{New South Wales political parties}} |
|||
[[Category:2001 establishments in Australia]] |
|||
[[Category:Classical liberal parties]] |
|||
[[Category:International Alliance of Libertarian Parties|Australia]] |
|||
[[Category:Liberal parties in Australia]] |
|||
[[Category:Libertarian parties]] |
|||
[[Category:Libertarian parties in Australia]] |
|||
[[Category:Non-interventionist parties]] |
|||
[[Category:Political parties established in 2001]] |
|||
[[Category:Political parties in Victoria (state)]] |
Revision as of 11:02, 24 April 2024
Libertarian Party | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | LP |
President | Paul Barker[1] |
Founder | John Humphreys[2] |
Founded | 2001 |
Registered |
|
Headquarters | Mount Waverley, Melbourne, Victoria |
Ideology | |
Political position | Right-wing[7] |
International affiliation | International Alliance of Libertarian Parties |
Colours | Yellow |
House of Representatives | 0 / 151 |
Senate | 0 / 76 |
Victorian Legislative Council | 1 / 40 |
New South Wales Legislative Council | 1 / 42 |
Surf Coast Shire | 1 / 9 |
Wodonga City Council | 1 / 7 |
Website | |
www.libertarians.org.au | |
The Libertarian Party, formerly known as the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is an Australian political party founded in Canberra in 2001. The party espouses smaller government and supports policies that are based on classical liberal, libertarian principles,[8] such as lower taxes, opposing restrictions on civil liberties, decentralisation, uranium mining, and the relaxation of smoking laws.[9]
The party is registered in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, as well as for federal elections with the Australian Electoral Commission.[10]
History
Formation
The Liberal Democratic Party was founded in 2001 as a political party registered in the Australian Capital Territory. It first contested elections in the 2001 ACT election, receiving 1 percent of the vote.[11] The party also contested the 2004 ACT election, receiving 1.3 percent of the vote.[12]
In 2006, changes to the Electoral Act by the Howard government forced all parties without parliamentary representation to deregister and re-register under stricter naming rules.[13] Advised by the Australian Electoral Commission that federal registration under the original name was uncertain given opposition by the Liberal Party of Australia, the party chose to register federally as the Liberty and Democracy Party in 2007.[14] The Liberty and Democracy Party contested 2007 federal election, winning 17,048 votes (0.14 percent) in the lower house and 16,942 votes (0.13 percent) in the upper house.
In 2008, the party successfully applied to the Australian Electoral Commission to change its federally registered name to Liberal Democratic Party.[15] During this period, the party remained registered under its original name in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).[16]
Initial electoral contests
In 2010, the party contested the 2010 federal election, receiving 1.8 percent of the national senate vote[17] and an average of 1.3 percent across the 21 lower house seats it contested, with a best of 5.52 percent in Gippsland.
In 2012, the Liberal Democratic Party had its first successful election win. Jeff Pettett was elected as a Councillor to the Ku-ring-gai Council in northern metropolitan Sydney at the New South Wales local government elections, gaining 24 per cent of vote in the absence of Liberal Party candidates.[18] Clinton Mead was elected as a Councillor to the Campbelltown Council in southern metropolitan Sydney at the New South Wales local government elections.
Prior to the 2012 Ramsay and Port Adelaide state by-elections in South Australia, the polls in The Advertiser newspaper gave the LDP 23 percent and 14 percent of the vote respectively in the absence of Liberal Party candidates. The LDP ended up with votes of 13.3 percent and 7.3 percent respectively. The paper described the LDP as "a hardline liberal party that demands abolition of government welfare as well as the minimum wage, seatbelts and bike helmets. It backs legalisation of marijuana and increased freedom to access pornography".[19]
At the 2013 federal election, LDP candidate David Leyonhjelm was elected to the Senate after polling the third highest vote in the state of New South Wales after the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party.[20] According to Leyonhjelm, a portion of their vote probably came from their 'first position' on the long senate ballot paper and voters potentially being confused with his party and other contesting parties such as the Liberals, the Australian Democrats and the Christian Democratic Party.[21] However, Leyonhjelm points to the fact that the Liberal Democrats' vote in South Australia, where they were fifth on the ballot, rose 3 percentage points. He also points to the fact that the donkey vote generally only produces swings of +1 or 2 percentage points to the party listed first on the ballot.[22] Leyonhjelm organised preferences for several different, but closely entwined, political parties seeking election to the Senate, including the Outdoor Recreation Party, Smokers' Rights Party and the Republican Party of Australia.[23] Australian Sex Party candidate Fiona Patten alleged Leyonhjelm intentionally failed to lodge ticket voting preferences forms, reneging on a preference deal,[24] but Leyonhjelm claimed that there was a mistake entering the AEC fax number.[25] The Liberal Democrats were not involved in Glenn Druery's Minor Party Alliance during the election which assisted in negotiating preference flows between minor parties.[26] On 1 July 2014, David Leyonhjelm became the Liberal Democratic Party's first senator.
Shortly after David Leyonhjelm's Senate victory, Liberal Democrats councillor Clinton Mead was elected Mayor of the City of Campbelltown in New South Wales.[27]
In 2015, the Liberal Democrats registered with the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC), and announced it would field upper-house candidates in the upcoming Victorian state election on 29 November 2014.[28] In 2016, the Liberal Party sought to challenge the name of the party with the electoral commission, but ultimately abandoned the action.[29]
David Leyonhjelm was re-elected with a 3.1 percent (−6.4) primary vote, or 139,000 votes, at the 2016 double dissolution federal election.[30] Gabriel Buckley, the LDP's lead candidate in Queensland, marginally misses out on a seat.[31]
WA elections were held 11 March 2017, where the states first LDP member, Aaron Stonehouse, was elected.[27]
In May 2017, former Leader of the Opposition and political commentator Mark Latham left the Australian Labor Party and joined the LDP.[32]
In 2018, candidates Tim Quilty and David Limbrick were elected to the Victorian Legislative Council (state upper house). In the same year, Mark Latham left the party to become the leader of One Nation NSW division.[33]
In 2019, David Leyonhjelm announced that he will be quitting federal parliament in order to contest the New South Wales state election.[34] This resulted in Duncan Spender being sworn in to fill Leyonhjelm's former seat until the next Federal election.[35] David Leyonhjelm did not get elected in the 2019 New South Wales election, securing only 0.46 of a seat quota.[36] Duncan Spender also lost their Senate seat in the 2019 election.
In the Victorian Local Government election of 2020, the party fielded 11 candidates state-wide. Two endorsed candidates were elected, Olga Quilty in Wodonga with a 5.83% first preference vote against 18 other candidates and Paul Barker in Torquay with a 11.67% first preference vote against 9 other candidates.
Recent developments
On 18 May 2017, the Liberal Democratic Party formed a 'conservative bloc' with One Nation and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party in the Western Australia Legislative Council.[3]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Victorian MPs Quilty and Limbrick became outspoken critics of the Victorian Parliament, the Federal Parliament, and Australia's COVID response in whole. On August 17, 2021, while the Victorian Parliament was closed due to restrictions, the two protested park closures on the steps of Parliament in the presence of armed police.[37] They refused to comply with a vaccine mandate for MP's, with Limbrick publicly destroying his vaccination status card.[38]
In July 2021, Campbell Newman, the former Premier of Queensland and Leader of the Liberal National Party of Queensland, resigned from the LNP, stating the LNP candidate in the 2021 Stretton state by-election was "let down by a party and leadership that never stands up for anything".[39] In August 2021, he announced he had joined the LDP to run as the party's lead Senate candidate in Queensland at the 2022 Australian federal election.
On 16 October 2021, Quilty, Limbrick, and other opposition MPs were ejected from Victorian Parliament for refusing to disclose their vaccination status.[40][41] After two weeks of exclusion, the MP's submitted their vaccination status on October 28, 2021, in order to return to parliament to oppose the legislative agenda of the government.[42]
On 23 November 2021, the LDP announced a preference deal with the United Australia Party in the upcoming Australian elections where each party would encourage its members to choose the other as their second preference.[43]
On 24 November 2021, Krystle Mitchell − an acting Senior Sergeant of Victoria Police who resigned after speaking publicly against enforcing health orders − announced she would be running for the Senate with the LDP as the second candidate on their ticket in Victoria.[44][45]
On 8 April 2022, Senator Sam McMahon joined the party after defecting from the Country Liberal Party in January.[46] This gave the federal parliamentary representation to the Liberal Democratic Party. McMahon would also be the lead Senate candidate for the party at the May federal election. She was unsuccessful in her election and the party lost parliamentary representation. AEC's consideration to deregister the party continued after the writs for the election were returned in June, and the party was deregistered at the federal level on 19 July 2022.[10]
Name change
Due to changes in the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and a subsequent objection to the party's name by the Liberal Party, the Liberal Democratic Party applied to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to change its name to the Liberty and Democracy Party in February 2022 in order to remain registered.[47][48] The party then withdrew the name change application on 22 March 2022.[49] On 1 April 2022, the AEC gave notice to the party that it would consider deregistering the latter, giving one month for the party to appeal the notice.[50] However, as the writs for the May federal election were issued the following week on 11 April, the party register then would be "frozen" and this meant the party was allowed to contest the election with its current name.[51]
In May 2023, LDP members voted on a new name for the party.[52][53] The party adopted the new name "Libertarian Party", and the logo of the party bears the abbreviation of the new name "LP".
The Victorian Electoral Commission received an application from the party about a name change in June 2023.[54] On 16 July 2023, all state party branches, with the exception of New South Wales, formally changed their names to the Libertarian Party.[55] In October 2023, the party also applied for party registration federally with the AEC under the new party name.[56] The federal party registration was approved on 12 January 2024.[57]
The party contested under the new name for the first time at the Mulgrave state by-election in Victoria in November 2023,[58][59] and federally at the Dunkley by-election in March 2024.[60]
Policies and political positions
The LDP states that it adheres to classical liberal, small government and laissez-faire principles coupled with what the party considers as a high regard for individual freedom and individual responsibility.[61] LDP supported policies include:[62][63][64]
National Policy
- Opposes government imposed restrictions and mandates curtailing personal freedoms[65]
- Support of citizen-initiated referendums, fixed parliamentary terms, recall elections and voluntary voting[65][66]
- Federal budgets which are neither in surplus, nor deficit, but balanced[65][67]
- Support of a 20% flat rate income tax with a $40,000 tax free threshold[65][68]
- Supports voluntary superannuation[65]
- Supports freezing and decentralising the minimum wage[65]
- Supports utilisation of nuclear energy[65]
- Supports decentralising education[65]
- Supports free speech and opposes censorship (supports no government censorship of the internet)[65]
- Opposes mass surveillance and digital identities[65][69]
Current and past policies and views[vague]
- Ending the war on drugs - by legalisation of all drugs that are less harmful than both alcohol and tobacco (for example cannabis) and decriminalisation of all other drugs[70]
- Supporting the implementation of pill testing[71]
- Legalisation of assisted suicide[69]
- Abolition of coercive psychiatry[citation needed]
- Ending political correctness and nanny state control (e.g. the now-lifted Sydney lockout laws)
- Support of competitive federalism and political decentralisation
- Support of extensive privatisation and deregulation: end government ownership of business enterprises including the ABC, SBS, Australia Post, government owned public schools, government owned public hospitals, electricity generation and public transport services
- Extensive reduction of taxes and fines, industrial relations regulations and government spending including welfare, health and the military, replacing most with a compulsory superannuation payment to fund social services and compulsory insurance cover for those whose balance does not meet a mandated minimum[72]
- Support for commercial off-the-shelf and military off-the-shelf defense acquisitions where possible[73]
- Deregulate industry to the greatest extent possible to build its international competitiveness
- Support of extensive free markets and free trade[74]
- Support of the most efficient and effective electricity generation, with no options off the table[75]
- Support of market over government responses to climate change
- Opposition to industry subsidies including corporate welfare
- Support the relaxation of foreign investment requirements and removal of restrictions against foreign ownership
- Call for reform to the anti-dumping legislation[citation needed]
- Opening up and removing the locking up of our state forests and national parks and proper management and conservation to prevent bushfires
- Support for increasing barriers for immigrants to acquire Australian citizenship
- Maximisation of freedom of travel administered by a general immigration tariff on all non-humanitarian immigrants from other nations to replace the existing quota system[76]
- Support of free migration agreements with more nations such as the current Australia/New Zealand agreement
- Unauthorised arrivals temporarily detained for health and security checks, transparent process for determining refugee status, community release under bail-like conditions while status is determined[citation needed]
- Removal of sin taxes (including for alcohol and tobacco)[68]
- Equality before the law, including opposition to affirmative action[77]
- Support of property owners' rights
- Support of motocross, cycling, fishing, bushwalking, hunting, logging, 4WD and shooting rights
- Opposition to government-mandated food labelling for religious purposes[78]
- Decriminalise means to self-defence (including pepper spray, tasers and firearms under some circumstances)[79]
- Restore to the States the power to impose income taxes and other taxes currently reserved to the Commonwealth[80]
- Cease all Commonwealth involvement in health and education[80]
- Marriage privatisation or getting the government out of the marriage business[81]
- Some support for Pacific Solution of regional processing of asylum seekers in Nauru and Papua New Guinea[82]
- Exemption for Sikh Australians from mandatory helmet laws[83]
- Opposition to the introduction of laws for individual groups, such as Sharia law or Aboriginal law[78]
- Opposition to government-funded foreign aid, other than short-term humanitarian relief, in favour of private charity[84]
Election results
Federal parliament
Election year | No. of overall votes |
% of overall vote |
No. of overall seats won |
No. of overall seats |
+/– |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | 16,942 | 0.13 | 0 / 40
|
0 / 76
|
— |
2010 | 230,191 | 1.81 | 0 / 40
|
0 / 76
|
0 |
2013 | 523,831 | 3.91 | 1 / 40
|
1 / 76
|
1 |
2016 | 298,915 | 2.16 | 1 / 76
|
1 / 76
|
0 |
2019 | 169,735 | 1.16 | 0 / 40
|
0 / 76
|
1 |
2022 | 340,132 | 2.26 | 0 / 40
|
0 / 76
|
0 |
State parliament
New South Wales
Election year | No. of overall votes |
% of overall vote |
No. of overall seats |
+/– |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 96,999 | 2.18 | 0 / 42
|
— |
2023 | 162,755 | 3.3 | 1 / 42
|
1 |
South Australia
Election year | No. of overall votes |
% of overall vote |
No. of overall seats |
+/– |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 6,091 | 0.6% | 0 / 22
|
— |
2018 | 25,956 | 2.47 | 0 / 22
|
— |
2022 | 36,445 | 3.35 | 0 / 22
|
— |
Victoria
Election year | No. of overall votes |
% of overall vote |
No. of overall seats |
+/– |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 104,516 | 3.06 | 0 / 40
|
|
2018 | 89,428 | 2.50 | 2 / 40
|
2 |
2022 | 99,054 | 2.64 | 1 / 40
|
1 |
Western Australia
Election year | No. of overall votes |
% of overall vote |
No. of overall seats |
+/– |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | 23,848 | 1.77 | 1 / 36
|
1 |
2021 | 9,218 | 0.64 | 0 / 36
|
1 |
Elected representatives
Current
Victorian Legislative Council
- David Limbrick (2018–2022; 2022–present)
New South Wales Legislative Council
- John Ruddick (2023–present)
Surf Coast Shire Council
- Paul Barker (2020–present)
Wodonga City Council
- Olga Quilty (2020–present)
Former
Senate
- David Leyonhjelm (2014–2019)
- Duncan Spender (2019)
- Sam McMahon (2022)
Victorian Legislative Council
- Tim Quilty (2018–2022)
Western Australia Legislative Council
- Aaron Stonehouse (2017–2021)
Campbelltown City Council
- Clinton Mead (2012–2016)
East Gippsland Shire Council
- Ben Buckley (2012–2020)
North Sydney Council
- Samuel Gunning (2017–2021)
Ku-ring-gai Council
- Jeff Pettett (2012–2017)
Wodonga City Council
- Tim Quilty (2016–2018)
Donors
The Australia Institute's 2019 report found that the Liberal Democratic Party had received political donations of $37,311 from pro-gun groups between July 2011 and March 2019. The report contextualises their donations as similar in value to the Nationals, Labor and Country Alliance, whilst being less than those to Katter's Australia Party, the Shooters Party, and the Liberal Party.[85][86]
See also
Notes
- ^ The party was first registered with the Australian Electoral Commission as the "Liberal Democratic Party" between 2007–2022.
References
- ^ "Our People". 15 January 2024.
- ^ Ruddick, John (31 August 2021). "How can anyone own the word 'liberal'?". spectator.com.au. The Spectator Australia.
- ^ a b Kagi, Jacob; Strutt, Jessica (18 May 2017). "WA politics: Upper House conservative bloc pledges to work with government". ABC News. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ Bertram, Dean (21 September 2013). "In praise of Australia's Liberal Democrats". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 2 June 2015.
- ^ Potter, Ben (26 October 2013). "Libertarianism gets a loudspeaker in David Leyonhjelm". The Australian Financial Review (AFR). Archived from the original on 5 November 2018.
- ^ Kelly, Dominic (22 September 2021). "Australia's Right-Wing Libertarians Are Trying to Capitalize on Anti-Lockdown Sentiment". jacobin.com. Jacobin.
- ^ Davies, Anne (27 July 2021). "Rightwing Australian politicians use Covid lockdowns to promote challenge to Liberal party". Guardian Australia.
- ^ "LDP philosophy". Ldp.org.au. Archived from the original on 20 November 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ Carey, Adam (11 December 2018). "Party in the upper house: Who's who on new Victorian crossbench". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- ^ a b Reid, Joanne. "NOTICE OF DECISION ON PARTY REGISTRATION DEREGISTERING A POLITICAL PARTY AND REMOVAL FROM THE REGISTER OF POLITICAL PARTIES LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY: Notice of decision under s 137(6) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Statement of Reasons" (PDF). AEC. Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ "2001 Election - First Preference Results". ACT Electoral Commission. 8 March 2005. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
- ^ "2004 Election - First Preference Results". ACT Electoral Commission. 1 February 2005. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
- ^ Stephen, Mayne (29 June 2006). "Minor parties deregistered by Howard electoral law changes". Crikey. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ Davis, Mark; Jensen, Erik (12 November 2007). "Lots of trash 'n' treasure in micro-party bazaar". The Sydney Morning Herald (First ed.). p. 18. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ Mitchell, Alex (10 February 2009). "Tax-hating gun-lovers register political party". Crikey. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ "Register of political parties". ACT Electoral Commission. 15 October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
- ^ "First Preferences by Party". Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ Bauche, David (12 September 2012). "Malicki dominates the vote for her sixth term". Hornsby Advocate. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ^ Wills, Daniel (20 January 2012). "Female voters save Labor's seat". The Advertiser. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ^ Damien Murphy (9 September 2013). "Detours ahead as minor parties claim Senate balance". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
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