Conservatism in Australia
Encyclopedia
Conservativism in Australia covers similar political issues as found in other Western democracies.
In Australia political conservatism is primarily represented by the Liberal Party of Australia
, and its rural-based coalition
partner, the National Party
(although arguably it is more agrarian in approach). There have been other minor parties which may be perceived to be conservative or right wing in orientation on account of some of their policies, including the One Nation Party
, Shooters Party
and Pauline's United Australia Party
, although many would not champion classical liberal approach to economics adopted by the Liberal Party. Conservative think tanks in Australia include Centre for Independent Studies
, the H. R. Nicholls Society
and the Menzies Research Centre
.
In Australia however there are some differences in the political landscape in which conservatism exists than what is found in other countries.
In Australia political conservatism is primarily represented by the Liberal Party of Australia
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
, and its rural-based coalition
Coalition (Australia)
The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a group of centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922...
partner, the National Party
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
(although arguably it is more agrarian in approach). There have been other minor parties which may be perceived to be conservative or right wing in orientation on account of some of their policies, including the One Nation Party
One Nation Party
One Nation is a far-right and nationalist political party in Australia. It gained 22% of the vote translating to 11 of 89 seats in Queensland's unicameral legislative assembly at the 1998 state election and made major inroads into the vote of the existing parties...
, Shooters Party
Shooters Party
The Shooters and Fishers Party, formerly known as the Shooters Party, is an Australian state political party. It is registered for state elections in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia...
and Pauline's United Australia Party
Pauline's United Australia Party
Pauline's United Australia Party was an Australian political party launched by former One Nation founder Pauline Hanson on 24 May 2007 and registered by the Australian Electoral Commission on 20 September 2007....
, although many would not champion classical liberal approach to economics adopted by the Liberal Party. Conservative think tanks in Australia include Centre for Independent Studies
Centre for Independent Studies
The Centre for Independent Studies is a libertarian think tank founded in April 1976 by Executive Director Greg Lindsay. The CIS is one of six think tanks recognised by the National Institute for Research Advancement in Tokyo, Japan...
, the H. R. Nicholls Society
H. R. Nicholls Society
The H.R. Nicholls Society is an Australian think tank of the New Right on industrial relations. It was created in March 1986 after John Stone, Peter Costello, Barrie Purvis, and Ray Evans organised a seminar aimed at discussing the Hancock Report and other industrial matters.The Society is named...
and the Menzies Research Centre
Menzies Research Centre
The Menzies Research Centre in an Australian think tank that began in 1994 to undertake research into public policy issues. The centre is controlled by the Liberal Party of Australia and they share common conservative/neo-liberal values...
.
In Australia however there are some differences in the political landscape in which conservatism exists than what is found in other countries.
- Conservatives generally, but not exclusively, oppose the idea of Australia becoming a republicRepublicA republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
, changing the flagFlag of AustraliaThe flag of Australia is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the canton , and a large white seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter...
or removing perceived vestiges of Australia's Anglo-SaxonAnglo-SaxonAnglo-Saxon may refer to:* Anglo-Saxons, a group that invaded Britain** Old English, their language** Anglo-Saxon England, their history, one of various ships* White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, an ethnicity* Anglo-Saxon economy, modern macroeconomic term...
legacy.
- Australia undertook significant economic reform under the centre-left Australian Labor PartyAustralian Labor PartyThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
in the mid-1980s. Consequently issues like protectionismProtectionismProtectionism is the economic policy of restraining trade between states through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, and a variety of other government regulations designed to allow "fair competition" between imports and goods and services produced domestically.This...
, welfare reformWelfare reformWelfare reform refers to the process of reforming the framework of social security and welfare provisions, but what is considered reform is a matter of opinion. The term was used in the United States to support the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act...
, privatizationPrivatizationPrivatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of a business, enterprise, agency or public service from the public sector to the private sector or to private non-profit organizations...
and deregulationDeregulationDeregulation is the removal or simplification of government rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.Deregulation is the removal or simplification of government rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.Deregulation is the removal or...
are no longer debated in the political space as they are in Europe or North America.