There’s one thing Warren Truss and Bill Shorten agree on: there is no place in Australian politics for extremism.
Far-right Dutch MP Geert Wilders and the anti-Islam Q Society of Australia intend to launch a political party, the Australian Liberty Alliance.
Mr Wilders will visit Perth in 2015 to formally launch the new political force.
“Many of you are disappointed by current political parties and have had enough of politicians who sell out our western civilisation,” Mr Wilders said in a video address ahead of the Q Society’s International Symposium on Liberty and Islam in Australia, which starts on Friday.
“Like you, good people in Europe, America and Canada have had enough of politicians who don’t share our values and foolishly declare that all cultures are equal and who lack courage to speak the truth and say that Islam is the biggest threat to freedom today.
“You too will soon have the opportunity to turn the tide in Australia.”
Deputy prime minister Warren Truss said Australians wanted the country’s politics to be moderate and peaceful.
“Extremism often leads to strife,” he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
“While people are entitled to their views in this country, we really do expect all Australians to respect the views of others and to promote their views peacefully.”
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Australia worked best when the country encouraged diversity and multiculturalism.
“Extremism, be it of the far left or the far right, is not welcome in Australia,” he said.
“People who preach simple solutions for the future of this country are often just leading Australians up the wrong path.”
Mr Wilders said planning for the political party started during his visit to Australia a year ago.
That visit was marked by protests and bans on media attending the Dutch firebrand’s addresses.