Australian Progressives
Australian Progressives | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Party President | Vinay Orekondy |
| Founded | 2014[1] |
| Ideology | Progressivism |
| Political position | Left-wing |
| Website | |
| australianprogressives.org.au/ | |
The Australian Progressives is a minor Australian political party. The party was established in September 2014,[2] and registered as a federal political party with the Australian Electoral Commission on 17 February 2015.[3]
A February 2015 article in The Monthly noted the party's use of crowdfunding and promises of community consultation on policy, but also stated it had "prioritised the establishment of a political party ahead of the development of a platform".[2] Until August 2015 when the Australian Progressives absorbed the remnants of the Australian Progressive Party in a merger, the two similarly named parties were seen as competing for the same constituency.[1]
Policies
The party's website states it will "champion the development of broad policies and ideas that match the values of our community and members". As of March 2015, it has released three "endorsed policies", along with various other "policy visions" that the party's membership "will continue to develop and grow".[4] The three endorsed policies are:
- Dental care to be fully covered by Medicare, funded by the Medicare levy. Water fluoridation to be implemented Australia-wide, with subsidies for remote areas.[5]
- Federal anti-corruption body to be created, state anti-corruption bodies to be strengthened and given wider powers, whistleblower protection to be strengthened and standardised.[6]
- Funding to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) to be increased, with the Australia Network to resume operation.[7]
2016 federal election
In the 2016 federal election, the Australian Progressives fielded two senate candidates in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. It also stood a candidate for the northern Melbourne seat of Batman in the House of Representatives.[8]
References
- 1 2 Shalailah Medhora (28 October 2014). "Australia's two new progressive parties share a name – and mutual dislike" – Guardian Australia. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- 1 2 Tim Flannery and Catriona Wallace (February 2015). "Fixing politics: how online organisation can give power back to the people" – The Monthly. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
- ↑ "Australian Progressives". Current Register of Political Parties. Australian Electoral Commission. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "Australian Progressives Policies". List of Australian Progressives policies. Australian Progressives. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "Public Dental Healthcare" – Australian Progressives. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "Stronger anti-corruption & whistleblower protections" – Australian Progressives. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "ABC & SBS Funding" – Australian Progressives. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "Candidates for the 2016 federal election". Australian Electoral Commission. 12 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
