Leader Andrew Phillips Colours Red, Blue | Newspaper Destiny | |
Ideology Protectionism
Nationalism
Social conservatism
Right-wing populism | ||
The Australian Protectionist Party is a minor Australian political party with protectionist and nationalist policies. The party was registered by the Australian Electoral Commission in January 2011, and went on to contest the 2013 federal election, but was de-registered in June 2015.
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Ideology
According to their website, the party has seven primary policies which include, amongst others, the protection of the economy, environment, the family unit and way of life.[2] The APP opposes multiculturalism saying it is "ruining Australia."
Registered as a federal political party with the Australian Electoral Commission on 18 January 2011, the Australian Protectionist Party opposes refugees and asylum seekers and often participates in rallies such as the one outside the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. Since inception, the Australian Protectionist Party has been active in protesting against the presence of asylum seekers and Muslims, and has also organised several protests against Sharia law being implemented in Australia.
History
In April 2007 Darrin Hodges, chairman of the Sutherland Shire branch, was expelled from the far right Australia First Party due to disagreements with other party members. Hodges went on to co-found the Australian Protectionist Party.
In 2011, members of the group joined the defence against actions by Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions protesters targeting a store of the Max Brenner chocolate chain. The chain is owned by the Strauss Group, Israel's second-largest food and beverage conglomerate, which opponents say supports the Israeli Defence Force.
On Saturday 23 June 2012, the APP held what they described as a "counter protest" to a pro-refugee celebration day by the "Walk Together" group.
The party has been involved in Glenn Druery's Minor Party Alliance.
Electoral performance
Darrin Hodges ran unsuccessfully as a candidate in the 2008 Sutherland Shire Council elections, coming last in his ward. Hodges ran again unsuccessfully as a candidate for the Senate in the 2010 Australian federal election. Hodges had to run as an independent as his party was not registered in time and his ticket received 1,501 votes (0.03%).
In September 2012, NSW spokesman Nick Folkes was also unsuccessful when he contested the NSW council elections for the Municipality of Leichhardt and received 0.6% of the total vote for the ward with 41 votes.
In the Australian federal election, 2013 for the Senate in NSW, the Party received 2,424 votes or 0.06% of the vote.
Split
in December 2012 the entire Sydney branch of the Australian Protectionist party, including its NSW spokesman Nick Folkes, resigned from the Australian Protectionist Party due to a host of complex internal issues. The ex-members later formed their own party "Party for Freedom (Australia).