Far-right party claims tripled membership ahead of Goldfields visit

The President of the Australian Liberty Alliance has rejected suggestions the anti-immigration party is a “single-issue” group, claiming the party has tripled its membership due to interest from disillusioned conservatives.

The ALA, launched in Perth last year by far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, advocates hardline anti-Muslm policies, including a 10-year moratorium on immigration from Islamic nations, banning full face coverings in public and withdrawing Australia from the United Nations Refugee Convention.

But speaking to the ABC ahead of a planned meeting in Kalgoorlie-Boulder this week, ALA President and WA Senate candidate Debbie Robinson rejected suggestions the party was racist, or fixated on immigration over other policies.

“We’re for an integrated, multi-ethnic society, with no racism, and individual liberty,” Mrs Robinson said.

“The thing people need to realise is that we’re not against individual Muslims per-se; it’s an ideology deserving of critical thought.

“It’s not about attacking individual Muslims, it’s about attacking this ideology that is not good for our democracy.”

Mrs Robinson will travel to Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Tuesday to hold a meeting with prospective members and supporters in the Goldfields, part of a nationwide recruiting drive for the group ahead of this year’s Federal Election.

Attendees are required to register beforehand, with the final location to be sent via text message on the day.

Mrs Robinson said the secrecy was necessary to protect supporters form alleged harassment and retaliation.

“One of the reasons we had to take these measures is that you’re not allowed to talk about Islam, you can’t criticise it openly,” she said.

“So we keep our locations under wraps until the day before.”

Growing interest reflects global growth of the far right

The ALA’s establishment comes amid growth in support across the globe for similar groups, particularly in Europe.

In the Netherlands, Mr Wilders’ Party for Freedom, from which the ALA takes much of its inspiration, secured 12 per cent of the vote, and has led a number of opinion polls.

Hardline anti-immigration movements have also experienced growth locally, with anti-mosque rallies in the eastern states drawing support from violent fringe groups.

Mrs Robinson, a former nurse who also heads the anti-Islamic group the Q Society, said interest in the party was growing, particularly amongst “disillusioned” conservatives.

“We’ve actually tripled our membership since we launched — there’s definite interest in an alternate party,” she said.

She believes much of the groundswell has been driven by conservatives alienated by the ascension of Malcolm Turnbull to the Prime Ministership.

“When the leadership change took place a few months ago, our social media site, which normally sits at around 38,000 view per week, jumped to around 809,000 overnight,” she said.

“It’s time our political elite called a spade a spade, and admitted there is a problem, but they’re not doing that.”

Liberal member not alarmed by prospect of campaign

Describing the party as a “long-term” project, Mrs Robinson declined to confirm reports the ALA was considering running a candidate against Liberal incumbent Rick Wilson in O’Connor.

While the poll is not expected to be called until August-October, the potential for a double dissolution means an earlier election could still be an option.

But asked about the prospect of an ALA candidate by ABC Goldfields’ John Wibberley, Mr Wilson said he believed a majority of local voters would not be attracted by the party’s platform.

“We had the Rise Up Australia Party run in the last election in O’Connor, and they got about 1 per cent of the vote,” he said.

“I don’t see the Australian Liberty Alliance as much different from that type of party.”

While predicting they would “get their point across” in the election campaign, he predicted local voters would be looking at issues closer to home.

“People vote for larger issues than just immigration or terrorism,” Mr Wilson said.

“When people go to the ballot box, they have bigger issues in mind.”

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