List of political parties in Australia
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The politics of Australia has a mild two-party system, with two dominant political groupings in the Australian political system, the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal/National Coalition. Federally, 17 of the 151 members of the lower house (Members of Parliament, or MPs) are not members of major parties, as are 17 of the 76 members of the upper house (senators).
The
Other parties tend to perform better in the upper houses of the various federal and state parliaments since these typically use a form of proportional representation, except for in Tasmania where the lower house is proportionally elected and the upper house is made up of single member districts.
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2022) |
Two political groups dominate the Australian political spectrum, forming a de facto two-party system. One is the
The other group is a conservative grouping of parties that are in coalition at the federal level, as well as in
Every elected prime minister of Australia since 1910 has been a member of either the Labor Party, the Liberal Party, or one of the Liberal Party's previous incarnations (the
The Liberal Party is joined by the
The Liberal and National parties have merged in Queensland and the Northern Territory/South Australia, although the resultant parties are different. The Liberal National Party of Queensland, formed in 2008, is a branch of the Liberal Party, but it is affiliated with the Nationals and members elected to federal parliament may sit as either Liberals or Nationals.[10] The Country Liberal Party was formed in 1978 when the Northern Territory gained responsible government.[11] It is a separate member of the federal coalition, but it is affiliated with the two major members and its president has voting rights in the National Party. The name refers to the older name of the National Party.
Federally, these parties are collectively known as the Coalition. The Coalition has existed continually (between the Nationals and their predecessors, and the Liberals and their predecessors) since 1923, with minor breaks in 1940, 1973, and 1987.
Historically, support for either the Coalition or the Labor Party was often viewed as being based on social class, with the upper and middle classes supporting the Coalition and the working class supporting Labor. This has been a less important factor since the 1970s and 1980s when the Labor Party gained a significant bloc of middle-class support and the Coalition gained a significant bloc of working-class support.[12]
The two-party duopoly has been relatively stable, with the two groupings (Labor and Coalition) gaining at least 70% of the primary vote in every election since 1910 (including the votes of autonomous state parties). Third parties have only rarely received more than 10% of the vote for the
Membership requirement
To maintain registration, parties must demonstrate that they have a certain number of members.
Federally, since 2022, unless a party has current parliamentary representation, they must demonstrate they have 1,500 members.[13][14]
For the state and territory elections, parties require 100 members in Tasmania and the ACT, 200 in South Australia and Northern Territory, 500 in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, and 750 in New South Wales.[14]
State/Level | Requirement |
---|---|
Federal | 1,500 |
New South Wales
|
750 |
Victoria | 500 |
Queensland
| |
Western Australia | |
South Australia
|
200 |
Northern Territory
| |
Tasmania
|
100 |
Australian Capital Territory
|
Federal parties
Federal parliamentary parties
- ^ Dai Le has continued to officially sit as an independent since the party's formation.
- ^ David Pocock was elected as a member of a political party also named "David Pocock," formed to allow him to appear as an above-the-line group on the Senate ballot.[15] He is listed as an independent by the parliamentary website;[16] however, the party remains registered, and the AEC lists David Pocock as a parliamentary party.
- ^ The United Australia Party was voluntarily deregistered on 8 September 2022.[18] However, Ralph Babet, the party's sole parliamentary representative, stated that the change was made for "administrative reasons," and he continues to represent the deregistered UAP in the Senate.[19]
Federal non-parliamentary parties
Parties listed in alphabetical order as of April 2024:[20]
Active unregistered parties
Some parties that were formerly registered with the AEC still remain active.
Name | Leader(s) | Last registered | Ideology / objective | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFP | Australia First Party | Jim Saleam | 12 January 2022[26] | Ultranationalism | |
SEP | Socialist Equality Party | Cheryl Crisp | 23 February 2022[27] | Marxism, Orthodox Trotskyism |
State and territory parties
New South Wales
As of the New South Wales Electoral Commission:[28]
Parliamentary parties
Name | MPs | MLCs | Leader | Ideology | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALP | Australian Labor Party | 45 / 93
|
15 / 42
|
Chris Minns | Social democracy, social liberalism[29] | ||
L/NP | Coalition | Liberal Party | 25 / 93
|
10 / 42
|
Mark Speakman | Liberal conservatism, economic liberalism | |
National Party | 11 / 93
|
5 / 42
|
Dugald Saunders | Conservatism, agrarianism | |||
GRN | Australian Greens | 3 / 93
|
4 / 42
|
No leader | Green politics, progressivism | ||
SFF | Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party | 0 / 93
|
2 / 42
|
Robert Borsak | Green conservatism, right-wing populism | ||
AJP | Animal Justice Party | 0 / 93
|
1 / 42
|
Emma Hurst | Animal protection, animal rights | ||
LCP | Legalise Cannabis | 0 / 93
|
1 / 42
|
Jeremy Buckingham | Cannabis legalisation | ||
LBT | Libertarian Party | 0 / 93
|
1 / 42
|
John Ruddick | Classical liberalism, right-libertarianism | ||
PHON | One Nation | 0 / 93
|
1 / 42
|
Tania Mihailuk | Right-wing populism, Hansonism |
Non-parliamentary parties
Name[30] | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
PEP | Public Education Party | Cheryl McBride | Civil libertarianism, progressivism | |
SA | Socialist Alliance | No leader | Socialism, anti-capitalism | |
SAP | Sustainable Australia Party
|
William Bourke | Environmentalism, sustainable development | |
SBP | The Small Business Party | Eddie Dogramaci | Small business advocacy |
Active unregistered parties
Name | Leader(s) | Last registered | Ideology / objective | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
C4C | Christians for Community | Milton Caine | Never[31] | Christian politics
| |
LA | Liberty Australia
|
Never[32] | Libertarianism | ||
SEP | Socialist Equality Party | Cheryl Crisp | Never | Marxism, Orthodox Trotskyism |
Victoria
As of the Victorian Electoral Commission:[33]
Parliamentary parties
Name | MLAs | MLCs | Leader | Ideology | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALP | Australian Labor Party
|
55 / 88
|
15 / 40
|
Jacinta Allan | Social democracy, social liberalism[29] | ||
L/NP | Coalition | Liberal Party
|
19 / 88
|
11 / 40
|
John Pesutto | Liberal conservatism, economic liberalism | |
National Party
|
9 / 88
|
2 / 40
|
Peter Walsh | Conservatism, agrarianism | |||
GRN | Australian Greens | 4 / 88
|
4 / 40
|
Ellen Sandell | Green politics, progressivism | ||
LCP | Legalise Cannabis | 0 / 88
|
2 / 40
|
Cannabis legalisation | |||
LBT | Libertarian Party | 0 / 88
|
1 / 40
|
David Limbrick | Classical liberalism, right-libertarianism | ||
SFF | Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party | 0 / 88
|
1 / 40
|
Jeff Bourman | Green conservatism, right-wing populism | ||
PHON | One Nation | 0 / 88
|
1 / 40
|
Right-wing populism, Australian nationalism | |||
AJP | Animal Justice Party | 0 / 88
|
1 / 40
|
Georgie Purcell | Animal protection, animal rights |
Non-parliamentary parties
Name | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
CPP | Companions and Pets Party | John Hutchison | Greyhound racing advocacy, horse racing advocacy[34] | |
FFP | Family First Party | Tom Kenyon | Christian politics, social conservatism | |
FPV | Freedom Party of Victoria | Morgan Jonas | Anti-lockdown politics, conservatism | |
SAP | Sustainable Australia Party
|
Clifford Hayes | Environmentalism, sustainable development | |
VS | Victorian Socialists | No leader | Democratic socialism |
Queensland
As of the Queensland Electoral Commission:[35]
Parliamentary parties
Name | MPs | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALP | Australian Labor Party
|
51 / 93
|
Steven Miles | Social democracy, social liberalism[29] | |
LNP | Liberal National Party | 34 / 93
|
David Crisafulli | Liberal conservatism, economic liberalism | |
KAP | Katter's Australian Party | 3 / 93
|
Robbie Katter | Right-wing populism, developmentalism | |
GRN | Australian Greens | 2 / 93
|
No leader | Green politics, left-wing populism | |
PHON | One Nation | 1 / 93
|
No leader | Right-wing populism, Australian nationalism |
Non-parliamentary parties
Name | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
AJP | Animal Justice Party | Animal protection, animal rights | ||
LCP | Legalise Cannabis | Cannabis legalisation |
Western Australia
As of the Western Australian Electoral Commission:[36]
Parliamentary parties
Name | MLAs | MLCs | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALP | Australian Labor Party
|
53 / 59
|
21 / 36
|
Roger Cook | Social democracy, social liberalism[29] | |
NAT | National Party
|
3 / 59
|
3 / 36
|
Shane Love | Conservatism, agrarianism | |
LIB | Liberal Party
|
3 / 59
|
7 / 36
|
Libby Mettam | Liberal conservatism, economic liberalism | |
LCWA | Legalise Cannabis | 0 / 59
|
2 / 36
|
Sophia Moermond | Cannabis legalisation | |
GRN | Australian Greens | 0 / 59
|
1 / 36
|
Brad Pettitt | Green politics |
Non-parliamentary parties
Name | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
ACP | Australian Christians | Jamie van Burgel | Conservatism, Christian right | |
AJP | Animal Justice Party | Animal protection, animal rights |
South Australia
As of the Electoral Commission of South Australia:[37]
Parliamentary parties
Name | MHAs | MLCs | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALP | Australian Labor Party
|
27 / 47
|
9 / 22
|
Peter Malinauskas | Social democracy, social liberalism[29] | |
LIB | Liberal Party
|
16 / 47
|
8 / 22
|
David Speirs | Liberal conservatism, economic liberalism | |
GRN | Australian Greens | 0 / 47
|
2 / 22
|
Tammy Franks | Green politics | |
PHON | One Nation | 0 / 47
|
1 / 22
|
Jennifer Game | Right-wing populism, Australian nationalism Hansonism | |
SAB | SA-Best
|
0 / 47
|
1 / 22
|
Connie Bonaros | Social liberalism |
Non-parliamentary parties
Name | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
AJP | Animal Justice Party | Animal protection Animal rights | ||
AFP | Australian Family Party | Bob Day | Christian politics Right-wing populism, conservatism | |
CPP | Child Protection Party | Tony Tonkin | Child protection advocacy | |
FFP | Family First Party | Tom Kenyon | Christian politics, social conservatism | |
LCP | Legalise Cannabis | Damon Adams | Cannabis legalisation | |
LBT | Libertarian Party | Classical liberalism, right-libertarianism | ||
NAT | National Party
|
Jonathon Pietzsch | Conservatism, agrarianism | |
RCSA | Real Change SA | Stephen Pallaras |
Tasmania
As of the Tasmanian Electoral Commission:[38]
Parliamentary parties
Name | MHAs | MLCs | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LIB | Liberal Party
|
14 / 35
|
4 / 15
|
Jeremy Rockliff | Liberal conservatism, economic liberalism | |
ALP | Australian Labor Party
|
10 / 35
|
4 / 15
|
Rebecca White | Social democracy, social liberalism[29] | |
GRN | Australian Greens | 5 / 35
|
0 / 15
|
Cassy O'Connor | Green politics | |
JLN | Jacqui Lambie Network | 3 / 35
|
0 / 15
|
Jacqui Lambie | Social conservatism, veterans' rights |
Non-parliamentary parties
Name | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
AJP | Animal Justice Party | Animal protectionism, Animal rights | ||
LN | Local Network | Leanne Minshull | Hyperlocalism, Progressivism | |
SFF | Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party | Carlo Di Falco | Green conservatism, right-wing populism |
Australian Capital Territory
As listed with the ACT Electoral Commission:[39]
Parliamentary parties
Name | MLAs | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALP | Australian Labor Party
|
10 / 25
|
Andrew Barr | Social democracy, social liberalism[29] | |
LIB | Liberal Party | 9 / 25
|
Elizabeth Lee | Liberal conservatism, economic liberalism | |
GRN | Australian Greens | 6 / 25
|
Shane Rattenbury | Green politics |
Non-parliamentary parties
Name | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
AJP | Animal Justice Party | Animal protection, animal rights | ||
AP | Australian Progressives | Kerry Markoulli | Progressivism | |
BP | Belco Party | Bill Stefaniak | ||
DPI | David Pollard Independent | David Pollard | ||
DLP | Democratic Labour Party
|
Christian democracy, distributism | ||
LBT | Libertarian Party | Classical liberalism, right-libertarianism | ||
SFF | Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party | Green conservatism, right-wing populism | ||
SAP | Sustainable Australia Party | John Haydon | Environmentalism,[40] sustainable development | |
TACP | The Community Action Party |
Northern Territory
As of the Northern Territory Electoral Commission:[41]
Parliamentary parties
Name | MLAs | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALP | Australian Labor Party
|
14 / 25
|
Eva Lawler | Social democracy, social liberalism[29] | |
CLP | Country Liberal Party | 7 / 25
|
Lia Finocchiaro | Conservatism |
Non-parliamentary parties
Name | Leader | Ideology | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
AJP | Animal Justice Party | Animal protection, animal rights | ||
AFP | Australian Federation Party | Australian nationalism, conservatism | ||
GRN | Australian Greens
|
No leader | Green politics | |
SFF | Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party | Green conservatism, right-wing populism |
See also
- List of historical political parties in Australia
- List of local government political parties in Australia
- List of political parties by country
- Politics of Australia
References
- ^ a b "Infosheet 22 - Political parties". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "The Sydney Morning Herald - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Robert Menzies". National Archives of Australia.
- ^ "Our Beliefs". Liberal Party of Australia. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Chapter three". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Australia's prime ministers".
- ^ "What We Stand For". The Nationals. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- doi:10.2307/20635480.
- ^ "Arthur Fadden". National Archives of Australia.
- ^ "The Liberal National Party - History". Liberal National Party of Queensland. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011.
- ^ "About". Country Liberal Party. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "The Party Contest: Liberal vs. Labor". Oz Politics. Archived from the original on 28 September 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
- ^ "Changes to federal election rules including party sizes and names pass Parliament". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ a b Green, Antony. "More on Minimum Membership Requirements for Registering Political Parties". Antony Green's Election Blog. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ "Wallabies star scores above the line". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "Senator David Pocock". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ^ "Wallabies great David Pocock turns to politics in post-rugby life". The Fiji Times. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "United Australia Party Voluntary Deregistration" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ Butler, Josh (9 September 2022). "Clive Palmer's United Australia party deregistered but lone senator says he still represents it". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Current Register of Political Parties". Australian Electoral Commission. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ "Maryka Groenewald: A Portrait of Heartfelt Leadership". 9 November 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "National anti-corruption commission urgent". Australian Democrats. 20 October 2020.
- ^ "Rorts Watch". Australian Democrats.
- ^ "No jab, no vote: new anti-vax party registered". Crikey. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ Johnson, Chris (18 May 2022). "Election 2022: What's going on in Canberra's senate race?". The Mandarin. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Deregistered political parties". Australian Electoral Commission. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ "Notice of deregistration Socialist Equality Party" (PDF). aec.gov.au. Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). 23 February 2022.
- ^ "State Register of Parties". elections.nsw.gov.au. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Information About Registered Parties". elections.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
- ^ "Who are Christians for Community, C4C?". Christians for Community. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ "NSW Party Registration Campaign". Libertarian Party of Australia. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ "Currently registered parties". Victorian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ "Upstart party takes on Animal Justice". Weekly Times Now. 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ Queensland, Electoral Commission of (26 August 2022). "Registers". ecq.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Registered Political Parties in WA". Western Australian Electoral Commission. 29 August 2022. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Register of political parties". Electoral Commission of South Australia. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "TEC Party Register". tec.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Register of political parties". elections.act.gov.au. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Policy Platform – Sustainable Australia Party". Retrieved 8 January 2019.
- ^ NTEC (3 August 2022). "Register of political parties in the Northern Territory". NTEC. Retrieved 29 August 2022.