United Patriots Front misses deadline to register political party ahead of federal election
Updated
The right-wing United Patriots Front (UPF) has failed to deliver on a promise to register a political party for next month's federal election.
Key points:
- United Patriots Front (UPF) failed to register as a political party in time for election
- Is a right-wing group which has been involved in anti-Islam rallies
- To stand candidates in the next election they would need to run as independents
The UPF has been active in a series of anti-Islam rallies over the past 12 months and has repeatedly clashed with anti-racism groups, most recently during a violent confrontation in Coburg on the weekend.
It has also attracted widespread attention for joining the campaign to prevent a mosque being built in Bendigo.
Last year the group's leadership used a video message to UPF supporters to pledge to form a political party called Fortitude.
It conducted what it called an 'East Coast Tour' this year to promote the formation of the party, holding rallies in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Fortitude secretary Thomas Sewell was quoted by Fairfax Media after a UPF rally in Orange in February as saying: "Our main focus is the federal election to see what areas we do get a reaction in".
But Fortitude does not appear on the Australian Electoral Commission's list of registered parties.
The deadline to register parties to appear on ballot papers passed when the election writs were issued on May 16.
7.30 has confirmed with the AEC that it is now too late for the UPF to register a party for this election.
Any Fortitude political candidates would now need to register as independents for the July 2 ballot.
AEC regulations require aspiring political parties to gather 500 member signatures in support of the application for registration.
It's not known if a failure to attract enough members is the cause of Fortitude's non-registration.
Representatives of the United Patriots Front and Fortitude have been contacted for a response.
Would-be party wants journalists charged with treason
Despite Fortitude's failure to register as a party, the group's website says it aims to produce candidates to contest seats and pursue legitimate political power.
Two Melbourne-based UPF members — Christopher Shortis and Thomas Sewell — are listed as 'Senate Candidates'.
Fortitude has not responded to questions about whether those members will run as independents in July's double-dissolution election.
The deadline for nominating independents for the coming election is June 9.
Fortitude's website outlines its objectives.
"Our intentions are for our nation to be run in an ideologically consistent manner in which the interests of Australians and our constitution are considered of the utmost importance," it said.
Its policy priorities include an immediate end to Muslim immigration and to the construction of all mosques.
The group also calls for changes to the public education curriculum "to re-initiate an education for the development and strengthening of the Nation", and federal indictments for conspiracy and treason for all media outlets "suspected of undermining and deconstructing the Australian Nationality".
Topics: government-and-politics, federal-elections, elections, minor-parties, australia
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