Australians think of ourselves as laid-back larrikins, but the major parties have made it nigh impossible for an Australian equivalent to Count Binface to emerge. That’s despite a long history in Australia of joke parties, like the Sun Ripened Warm Tomatoes Party, the Surprise Party and the Deadly Serious Party.

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[–] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 5 points 4 months ago (1 child)

Australia has had joke candidates in the past. There was Murgatroyd, who ran satirical campaigns in PMs’ electorates through the 80s and 90s. Was the law changed to prevent others from continuing this tradition?

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[–] zero_gravitas@aussie.zone [S] 3 points 4 months ago

In 2021, the Morrison Coalition Government and Labor Opposition agreed to restrict the names of political parties. ‘Frivolous’ party names are forbidden, which kills the Count Binface Party stone dead. That’s despite a long history in Australia of joke parties, like the Sun Ripened Warm Tomatoes Party, the Surprise Party and the Deadly Serious Party.

Australia also places other barriers in the way of candidates. Count Binface needed the endorsement of 10 residents of Clacton to run in the by-election; an Australian independent would require 100.

In Australia, party candidates do not need any nominators (another advantage the incumbents have given themselves), but registering a party requires 1,500 members. That is prohibitive for parties focused on local or regional issues. In the UK, you only need two members: a treasurer and a returning officer.

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