Libertarian Party of Australia

For the present-day party, see Libertarian Party (Australia).
Liberty Party of Australia
AbbreviationLPA
Founded1977
DissolvedLate 1980s
Split fromWorkers Party
NewspaperThe Libertarian Bulletin
IdeologyLibertarianism
Colors  Gold   Grey

The Libertarian Party of Australia was an Australian political party based in South Australia. It was formed as a result of a split in the Workers Party over the adoption of the new name "Progress Party".[1]

History

The Libertarian Party was founded in 1977.[2] It had an official publication, known as The Libertarian Bulletin.[3]

The party contested the 1982 Mitcham state by-election, with candidate Victor Kirby achieving only 66 votes.[4]

At the 1983 federal election, the party ran two candidates in South Australia − Kerry Hawkes, who had 1.1% of the vote in Grey, and William Forster in the Senate, who had 0.1% of the vote.[5]

The party disbanded in the late 1980s, having not achieved any elected representatives.[2]

Later iterations

Several other parties with the same name have been founded since the original disbanded, though none have contested elections or been registered.

A 2005 incarnation of the party claimed members in three states, but was not registered with the Australian Electoral Commission for elections because of its small size.[6]

A 2015 incarnation of the party purported to adhere to free market principles very similar to those of the United States Libertarian Party.

On 5 November 2020, a third new incarnation was founded, basing itself on the 1975 platform of the Workers Party. In 2023, it changed its name to Liberty Australia as the Liberal Democratic Party had changed its name to the Libertarian Party.[7] As of 2023, the party is not registered with any electoral commissions, although it plans to contest the 2024 New South Wales local elections.[8]

References

  1. ^ Stacey, William J. (1987). "Libertarianism in Australia's "New Enlightenment"" (PDF). Mannkal Economic Education Foundation / University of Western Australia. pp. 22–25. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b "He was Federal Parliament's first libertarian senator. Is he the last?". Sydney Morning Herald.
  3. ^ "The Libertarian bulletin : the official publication of the Libertarian Party of Australia". National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ History of South Australian Elections 1857 - 2006 Volume 1: ECSA, Dean Jaensch, ISBN 978-0-9750486-3-4
  5. ^ "Federal Election Results 1949-1993" (PDF). Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Register of political parties". Australian Electoral Commission.
  7. ^ "Make schools businesses: Liberal Democrats MP on profit-motive education". 6 News Australia.
  8. ^ "NSW Party Registration Campaign". Libertarian Party of Australia.