Libertarians Are Courting ‘Teal’ Votes by Embracing Climate Consciousness and Advocating for Smaller Government

John Ruddick, the sole state-level Libertarian MP in New South Wales, has ambitious plans for his party.

Formerly known as the Liberal Democrats Party, the now Libertarian Party prioritizes small government, lower taxes or council rates, and free markets.

“We’re a staunchly small government party, advocating for minimal government intervention because we believe big government poses risks. The smaller the government, the better,” Ruddick told The Epoch Times.

Following the recent New South Wales (NSW) local government elections, where the Libertarians secured 15 council seats across the state, the party is riding a wave of political success.

Ruddick acknowledges that some luck was involved due to an administrative error by the major centre-right Liberal Party, which failed to nominate candidates before the deadline. However, NSW voters still made informed choices.

“Many people appreciated our platform, and we hope they continue to support the Libertarian Party in the future,” he remarked.

“Our challenge ahead is to directly engage with the ‘teals’ voting bloc that stands as our main opposition,” he added.

The teals were elected on a platform of discontent with the major parties and a strong push for more aggressive action on climate change. They won over Australia’s wealthiest and most educated electorates predominantly in the capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. The absence of teal candidates in Brisbane led to the Greens securing inner city seats instead.

Ruddick affirms that the Libertarian Party will confront the teals head-on to compete with them.

“We question the prevailing global warming narrative and will actively share our skepticism during the federal election,” he emphasized.

“The major parties are too similar. Their lack of substantial differences is prompting people to explore alternatives in Parliament,” he stated.

Describing themselves as a purist version of the Liberal Party, the Libertarians have aspirations for representation across all levels of government, including a federal senator and state-level upper house members.

“We advocate for free markets and aim to embody a right-wing counterpart to the Greens,” he explained.

During the recent Sydney council elections, the Greens faced a mixed outcome, gaining votes in the west but losing ground in affluent inner-city councils like Woollahra, Waverley, Randwick, and Inner West.

“The Greens typically perform well in the eastern suburbs, but their stance on Israel and Hamas has likely cost them support,” Ruddick noted.

But Is Libertarianism Aligned with Australian Values?

While the Libertarians champion minimal government intervention, Associate Professor Paul Williams from Griffith University suggests that Australians, in general, prefer a more robust government presence.

Australia’s history contrasts with that of the United States, where libertarian ideals are deeply ingrained due to a history of war and conflict.

Australian society has been built on public services provided by the government such as schools, hospitals, and institutions.

“Australians have historically embraced big government,” Williams observed.

“Our nation was established with public funds.”

Challenging Times Favor Major Parties: Analysis

Williams notes that during times of crisis, voters tend to gravitate towards the major parties to seek stability and reassurance.

Amid the pandemic, anxious voters leaned towards supporting Labor or Liberal parties for a sense of security—in Queensland, many voters who wouldn’t typically support Labor shifted their allegiance to the government.

Adversity significantly influences voter behavior.

“It’s almost as if voters are saying, ‘We need experienced leaders to tackle this,’” Williams remarked.

Currently, as economic challenges like high interest rates and inflation persist, Australia is likely heading towards a pivotal election where survival concerns overshadow other issues.

Although Williams believes the Libertarians might not rise to the prominence of the Greens, he anticipates they could play a role in keeping the Liberal Party aligned with right-wing political ideals.