Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is a classical liberal (moderate libertarian) Australian political party founded in 2001.

Party name

In 2007 the party tried to register federally under the name "Liberal Democratic Party" but this was opposed the by the Liberal Party, so the party chose to register as the "Liberty and Democracy Party".^[1] However in 2008 the party successfully applied to the Australian Electoral Commission to change its federally registered name to "Liberal Democratic Party".^[2] During this episode the party remained registered under its original name in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).^[3]

Philosophy

The party generally adheres to libertarian and classical liberal principles, with a low tax laissez-faire approach to economics and a high regard for individual freedom and responsibility.^[4]

Policies

LDP policies include:^[5]

• Legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide^[6]
• Significantly reduced tax rates and government spending;
• Abolition of coercive psychiatry;^[7]
• Re-legalisation of marijuana^[8]
• Support of shooters' rights;
• Support of voluntary voting;
• Advocate Free migration agreements with more nations (as already exists between Australia and New Zealand) and;
• a general immigration tariff on immigrants from other nations to replace the existing quota system.
• Opposition to corporate welfare;
• Support of competitive federalism and political decentralisation;
• Support of free trade;
• Support of gay marriage^[6]
• Support of property owners' rights with regards to all matters including smoking.

History

• 2001:
  • Liberal Democratic Party founded by John Humphreys.
  • Contests the 2001 ACT election, receiving one percent of the vote.^[9]
• 2004:
  • Contests the 2004 ACT election, receiving 1.3 percent of the vote.^[10]
• 2005:
  • David McAlary becomes party president.
• 2007:
  • Holds first national conference.
  • Registers federally, changing its name to "Liberty and Democracy Party" to meet electoral commission requirements.^[11]
  • Contests 2007 federal election, winning 17,048 votes (0.14 percent) in the lower house, and 16,942 votes (0.13 percent} in the upper house.
• 2008:
  • Peter Whelan elected party president.^[12]
  • Contests 2008 Gippsland by-election, winning 4.2 percent of the vote.
  • Contests the seat of Molonglo in the 2008 ACT election, winning 0.9% of the vote.
  • Applies successfully to the AEC to change its federally registered name to "Liberal Democratic Party".^[13]
• 2009:
  • Contests the 2009 Higgins and Bradfield by-elections, winning 0.5% and 0.8% of the vote respectively.
• 2010:
  • Contests 2010 federal election, receiving 1.81 percent of the senate vote (over 230,000 votes).^[14]
• 2011:
  • Registered in South Australia.

References

External links

• Liberal Democratic Party official website
• LDP history - according to party
• LDP history - according to founder