Key Takeaways
- Reform Australia is a new political venture aiming to capitalize on anti-immigration concerns in Australia.
- The party is not yet registered with the Australian Electoral Commission, but its digital footprint suggests links to Walter Villatora, a former Liberal party branch president.
- Reform Australia’s website and social media presence feature content supportive of conservative ideologies and right-wing causes.
- The party’s emergence comes as support for right-wing minor parties, such as Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, has surged in Australia.
- Experts doubt Reform Australia’s ability to make a significant impact in Australian politics, citing the need for a strong grassroots presence and a charismatic leader.
Introduction to Reform Australia
Reform Australia is a new political venture that has been making waves in Australian politics. At a recent anti-immigration rally in Sydney, a man handed out teal pamphlets for the party, which claims to be a "big tent" that will capitalize on the concerns of the crowd. Despite its mysterious origins, the party’s digital footprint offers clues about who may be involved. The party’s website is registered to Walter Villatora, a former Liberal party branch president in Warringah, who has also been linked to the conservative outfit Turning Point Australia.
The People Behind Reform Australia
Walter Villatora is a key figure behind Reform Australia, although he has declined to answer questions about the party. Villatora has a diverse range of interests, including business ties to Turning Point Australia, a local franchise of the conservative outfit run by Joel Jammal. Jammal has stated that he is not involved with Reform Australia, despite being named as tech support on one of the website registrations. Villatora has also been linked to former Liberal candidate Ben Britton, who has appeared in ads for Reform Australia on Facebook. Britton was dumped from the Liberal campaign in April after making controversial comments about women serving in defense combat positions.
The Party’s Ideology and Goals
Reform Australia’s website and social media presence feature content supportive of conservative ideologies and right-wing causes. The party’s pamphlet claims that the major parties have failed and that the minor parties are too fragmented, and calls on supporters to join the party to be "election ready." The party’s website also suggests that the supposed conservative party has lost its way, abandoning the values of hard work, family, and freedom. Reform Australia has also shared content supportive of March for Australia and nuclear power, as well as Turning Point videos about child grooming and other topics.
Expert Commentary and Analysis
Experts have doubts about Reform Australia’s ability to make a significant impact in Australian politics. Yaron Finkelstein, a former chief political strategist for Scott Morrison, said that an Australian Reform party would struggle to make waves like its UK counterpart. Finkelstein noted that Nigel Farage’s political brand was 20 years in the making, and that it is unclear who the Australian version of that is. Ben Raue, an election analyst, said that there is a "structural incentive" for far-right fringe groups to consolidate votes, but noted that there are already many parties like Reform Australia in Australia.
The Broader Political Context
Reform Australia’s emergence comes as support for right-wing minor parties, such as Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, has surged in Australia. One Nation’s popularity has already influenced some within the Coalition to pivot further right on energy and immigration policies. A parade of other minor parties are also eager to step in, making it unclear whether Reform Australia will be able to establish itself as a significant player in Australian politics. Despite the challenges, Reform Australia is already running ads and building a social media presence, suggesting that the party is serious about making a impact in Australian politics.
