For information about different levels of government in Australia and the parliaments at State/Territory and Commonwealth levels, visit pages listed on the Government and Politics page.

This page looks at Australian politics. The Political Parties section provides connections to most of the main Australian political parties at both Commonwealth and State/Territory levels.

The Other Information section covers topics from blogs to political cartoons, Having Your Say to polling groups and even covers a few suggested electoral changes. A range of political portals are also included.

Again, you are referred to The Beginnings of Self-Government in Australia and Nationalism and Federation pages which form part of the Australian History coverage. These provide a historical background to aspects of government and politics.

Political Parties

The listing does not cover every party in the Australian political spectrum. Major parties are listed first, with others being grouped in a separate listing.

Australian Democrats

• Australian Democrats

• Australian Democrats ACT
• Australian Democrats - NSW Division
• Australian Democrats South Australia
• Australian Democrats - WA Division
• Queensland Democrats
• Victorian Democrats

Australian Labor Party

• Australian Labor Party
  One of the two major political parties in Australia.

• ACT Labor Party
• NSW Labor
• Northern Territory ALP
• Queensland ALP
• South Australian ALP
• Tasmanian ALP
• Victorian ALP
• Western Australian ALP

Liberal Party of Australia

• Liberal Party of Australia
  One of the two major political parties in Australia.

• Canberra Liberals
• Liberal Party of NSW
• Country Liberal Party, Northern Territory
• Queensland Liberal Party
• Liberal South Australia
• Tasmanian Liberals
• Victorian Liberals
• WA Liberals

National Party of Australia

• National Party of Australia
  Previously called the Country Party. Aims to represent rural Australia. Usually in a coalition with the Liberal Party.

• NSW Nationals
• Country Liberal Party, Northern Territory
• Queensland Liberal/National Party
• The Nationals South Australia
• The Nationals Victoria
• The Nationals WA

The Australian Greens

• Australian Greens Party
  A strong environmental party, but holding other views as well.

• Australian Greens Victoria
• Tasmanian Greens
• The Greens ACT
• The Greens NSW
• The Greens NT
• The Greens Qld
• The Greens South Australia
• The Greens WA

Other Parties

• Australia First Party [Sydney Branch]
  The Sydney branch as the national site seems to have gone.
• Christian Democratic Party of Australia
• Communist Party of Australia
  Yes, one still exists.
• Democratic Socialist Party
  Find out about socialism, Marxist theory and why capitalism is bad.
• Family First Party
  A new party in the new century.
• One Nation
  Started by Pauline Hanson and had impact in the bush. Seems to be losing traction.
• Non-Custodial Parents Party
  Federally based party. The site covers membership details and the policy on which it is based.
• Nuclear Disarmament Party
  There appear to be some problems with this site. It will be maintained only until the next update unless these are resolved.

Younger Voters

Most major parties have Young versions. Some are listed here.

• NSW Young Labor
  The national site seems to have beenn parked at this time.
• The Young Nationals
• Young Australian Democrats
  Presently undergoing renewal. Check back soon.
• Young Greens
  This is the Victorian site. The Links page has connections to other states.
• Young Liberal Movement

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Other Information

Blogs, Podcasts, Videocasts

• Australian Politics
  Various contributors create this ABC podcast.
• John Quiggin
  ‘Commentary on Australian and world events from a social-democratic perspective’.
• Political Blogs
  A short list of blogs from left and right, individuals and general thoughts.
• The Domain
  ‘Australia’s best political blogs.’
• The Poll Bludger
  ‘Reflections on the Miracle of Democracy at Work in the Greatest Nation on Earth.’

General Sites

• Australian eDemocracy
  ‘This site is a clearing house for information about Australian eDemocracy.’
• Australia Politics News
  Up-to-date news reports from a wide range of sources including individuals.
• australianpolitics.com
  Information from breaking news, the Constitution, voting systems, executive government, elections, political parties, foreign policy, even information about overseas politics.
• Australian Politics Links
  ‘A database of elections, governments, parties and representation for Australian state and federal parliaments since 1890.’
• Australasian Political Studies Association
  Areas including Australian Government & Current Affairs, Political Texts online, Overseas Governments and Political Science.
• Australia’s National Forum
  ‘A vehicle to promote democratic uses of the Internet in Australia. The National Forum site is a virtual Town Square designed to provide Free democratic space on the web for our citizens, and shop fronts for our institutions.’
• Crikey
  ‘Australia’s true insider noticeboard. It takes readers to the inner worlds of politics, government, business, media, sport, the law, arts, publishing, the entertainment industry and those dark places where decisions are made behind closed doors.’
• Federalism Repository
  ‘The Federalism Repository was established to capture the many documents and debates on Australia’s federal future. CAF is focused on exploring practical ways to improve our federal system of government and to harness the significant benefits this offers Australians. The repository provides links to federalism resources, including journal articles, speeches, conference papers, organisations and research programs. Please click on the links to access the repository’.
• On the Record
  ABC site with information on parliament, elections and debates.
• Political Institutions
  History of Australian Democracy. 5 main sections.
• PR Society of Australia
  A group who recommend and promote the Hare Clark Quota electoral system.
• Sources of Parliamentary Information
  Find a wealth of information from the Australian Parliament’'s Parliamentary Library. You should also check their Key Internet Links and especially their Resource Guides.
• Women’s Electoral Lobby
  Contacts are provided, as are policies, Women’s History project and more.

Having Your Say !

• Get Up !
  A new, American style, of direct political action. Allows you to send messages to politicians at the Federal level.
• New Matilda
  ‘Offers a place for you to speak out about the Australia you want.’
• Youth.gov.au
  Hub for young people to be involved in the governmental process.
  Previously listed as The Source.

Political Cartoons and Cartoonists

• A Brush With Politics
  ‘A snapshot of the career of John Frith. The exhibition present[s] works spanning the long career of cartoonist John Frith - from his first known published cartoon in 1929, to the works he undertook during his retirement from 1969 until his death in 2000.’
• Australian Cartoonist’s Association
  Check individual cartoonists to see what their take on politics and political events is. Opens to the list of cartoonists.
• Australian Political Cartooning - A Rich Tradition
  Information, samples and further links from the Culture and Recreation Portal.
• Behind the Lines
  The Year’s Best Cartoons 2008. ‘Behind the Lines 2008 is a celebration of the best Australian political cartoons sourced throughout the year’. National Museum of Australia.
• Images of Australian Democracy
  Government in Australia.
• Moir
  One of Australia’s leading political cartoonists.
• Nicholson
  Covers both Australian and International events and figures. Goes way beyond politics, covering most areas of society. Has archival resources on the site as well.
• Political Cartoons Trail
  Samples from the National Library of Australia. Includes image and brief comment/descriptor.

Polling Groups

• A C Nielsen
• Galaxy Research
• Newspoll Market Research
• Roy Morgan Research

The Republic

• Australian Republican Movement
  The body which argues for Australia to become a republic.
• Constitutional Reform Index
• The Australian Republic Issue - A Guide
  ‘A non-partisan page linking WWW resources concerning one of the more high profile constitutional issues in this country might be useful.’
• The McGarvie Model
  ‘A Republican Equivalent of Our Present System of Democracy’. Introduction, Contents, Biographic, Comments.

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