“KEEP Australia Australian” is the mantra of the latest political party to throw its hat in the ring ahead of the September federal election, with school teacher Kim Heath standing for the Rise Up Australia party.
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The right wing party – which promotes policy “protecting Australia’s Judeo-Christian” heritage – launched its Riverina candidate at the weekend, with the school teacher saying she wanted women to be more represented politically.
“I think women need a voice,” she said.
“I admire women like Kay Hull and think it’s time issues were represented with honesty and integrity.”
Mrs Heath said it was only decided a few weeks ago that she would stand as the party’s candidate, whose lead Senate candidate for the state is Mike Bloomfield.
The party promotes a nationalistic agenda, which includes tighter restrictions around asylum seekers and the sale of land to foreign-owned business interests.
On social policy it is against same-sex marriage – it lists an article on its website saying progressive anti-discrimination legislation is causing students to self-identify as gay.
Rise Up Australia party president Daniel Nalliah said while Kim would have a tough time beating incumbent National Michael McCormack, he believed the party’s hardline policy on Islam and foreign ownership of land would resonate with Riverina voters.
“We have a world gone mad with political correctness,” he said.
