A Quick Guide to Australian Political Parties

Major parties

There are only two political groups that have a serious chance of forming government in Australia. Both believe in social democracy.

The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has been traditionally seen as "centre-left" and has historic ties with the union movement. However, it was the ALP that introduced free-market reform in the 1980s and they are now considered more "centre" than "left".

The Coalition is an agreement between the urban-based Liberal Party and the rural-based National Party. These two parties have been traditionally seen as "conservative" or "centre-right" and have historic ties with the business and farming communities.

Minor parties

There are three other parties with federal representation in the Senate.

The largest "minor" party over the last 20 years has been the Australian Democrats, who were originally a centrist party but have drifted to the left over time. The Democrats shrunk from 8 to 4 Senators in the 2004 election and most commentators expect them to lose all of their Senators at this election.

After this election, most people expect the Greens to replace the Democrats as the third force in Australian politics. They are the most left-wing party in parliament and promote social freedoms and government intervention in the economy. They currently have 4 Senators.

The final minor party in Australia is Family First, who had their first Senator elected in 2004. Family First combine social conservativism with economic centrism and generally support the Coalition.

Micro parties

Australia has about a dozen other political parties that represent various other groups.

The conservative right is represented by the Christian Democrats, One Nation, the Shooters Party, the Democratic Labour Party and the Fishing & Lifestyle Party. These parties generally support Family First and the Coalition.

The radical left is represented by the Socialist Alliance and the Socialist Equality Party. These parties generally support the Greens and the ALP.

Libertarians are represented by the Liberty and Democracy Party, which supports neither major party.

There are also a range of single issue parties, such as the Non-custodial Parents Party, Carrers Alliance and Climate Change Coalition.

A complete list of registered federal political parties is available at the AEC website.

Find out which party best suits you!

Take the Australian Political Quiz to find out where your views stand relative to the Australian political parties.