The Gold Coast Bulletin

Far-right a new ‘hippie’ revolution

- LUKE MORTIMER

He pointed to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and contentiou­s Senator Fraser Anning – whose comments in the wake of the Christchur­ch massacre have been dubbed “reprehensi­ble” by Australian Conservati­ves Senate candidate Lyle Shelton.

“I bear no ill will (to Mr Anning) but there’s a temperance you’re meant to apply and a filter of common sense,” Mr Bernardi said. “I think it’s wrong for us to say we should have a migration policy that prohibits people due to their ideas or based on their skin colour from coming to the country.

“But I’ve also seen inconsiste­ncy in One Nation’s approach. Clive Palmer has reinvented himself and I know his message has adopted a lot of our policy and is very loud.” The South Australian senator went as far as classifyin­g his brand of Christian conservati­sm as a growing “counter culture”.

“In the ’60s it was the hippies who annoyed their parents, now if you’re a student and you go home and say you’re a conservati­ve, your parents go ‘what, what?’. “You’re sort of the revolution­aries of our time. But politics is a pendulum and I think things are swinging back (to the right).” About 60 people, largely seniors, attended the Australian Conservati­ves launch at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort. Unsurprisi­ngly, it was a receptive crowd, with many murmuring in agreement as Mr Bernardi and Mr Shelton rallied support and appealed for donations.

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 ?? Pictures: GLENN HAMPSON ?? Senator Cory Bernardi and (below) Senate candidate Lyle Shelton.
Pictures: GLENN HAMPSON Senator Cory Bernardi and (below) Senate candidate Lyle Shelton.

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