Managing editorMichelle Pinitakes a look at the Liberal Party's Far-Right takeover from within, simmering beneath the "civilised broad church" facade.

IT'SFAIR TO SAY that the differences between the two major parties were, not so long ago,essentially to do with whether you believed in more or less government intervention in economic and social policy.

Certainly, the choices were not about one major party that traditionally leans to the Left versus the other traditional major party that once leaned to the Right and has now entered what can only politely be described as batshit crazy.

If you think this an exaggeration, consider the chief proponent for toppling current Liberal Party LeaderSussan Ley,Andrew Hastie.

We are just going to insert here, for your convenience, his recentsocial media postabout the death of U.S. gun-toting Far-Right poster boy,Charlie Kirk, below, which Hastie accompanied with the famousRaphael painting, Paul Preaching at Athens (IAemphasis):

So, according to Hastie, Kirks death was not at the hand of a right-wing, crazed assassin, ironically, armed with a firearm that Kirk himself endlessly spouted all should freely wield, but a war on Western civilisation.

Whether the alleged,aforementioned 22-year-old shooter is aware he was bringing down the entirety of Western civilisation as depicted by an Apostle, no less, is difficult to gauge.

Nonetheless, Far-Right alternative Liberal Leader Hastie, it appears, believes Kirk to be a martyr, comparable to theApostle Paul, and his killer an "evil" agent of the radical Left.

'How did we get here?' Hastie asks, but does not mention that we got here because bullets were fired from a gun and walking around with gunsis a "democratic right"in America.

No, according to Hastie, Kirks death is due to:

A perfectly plausible explanation!

For those who may not be aware of Maga-supporting Charlie Kirks brand of preaching, his enduring legacyincludedstuff like:

And

Well, that sounds like the model of "truth" and innate dignity. Any wonder Kirk 'engaged young hearts and minds'.

Apart from attempting to turn his racist, bigoted idols into martyrs, Hasties other interests include fighting against immigrants, same-sex marriage and the use of pronouns, and asIAfounderDave Donovanwrote:definitelynotcutting the hands offdead Taliban fighters or blowing up innocentyoung Afghani sheep herders.

What with nice Nazis, and the East Coast Twitterati on a jihad to bring down the Government, its been a busy week in Australian politics. Managing editor Dave Donovan hyperventilates.

Hastie, who was an SAS Captain in Afghanistan, gave evidence at a Federal Police war crimes inquiry, during which it was revealed that some members of his troop allegedly severed the hands of Taliban prisoners.

Hastiesaidat the time:

This is the person the Liberal Party are seriously considering for the leadership of what remains of their once undeniably powerful party.

And if you think Hastie has no chance at the leadership, then in the wake of his resignation from the Opposition front bench which he insists is not about contesting Ley consider that Scott Morrison, whose religious beliefsincludednot trusting governments[or] the United Nations, not only slithered to the leadership but inexplicably, even the prime ministership.

Managing editor Michelle Pini examines the legacy media's use ofboth-sidesism to create an alternate reality where Dutton and Albanese and Biden and Trump are presented as equal.

Then there was Peter Dutton, of course. Though not apparently an evangelist, Dutton wasa mega (or is that MAGA)Trump fan one of the many serious fascist Trump loversthat now lurk beneath the Liberal Partys (Western) civilised broad church faade to worship at the mad MAGA altar.

Apparently, their royal annihilation at the last election did not deter the remaining far-right Liberal faction from continuing down the same path and attempting to effect the Trumpian domination of Australias politics.

And one doesnt need to dig too far below the Liberal Party culture wars being staged within their own party room to find more cookers.

May we present South Australias'top factional warlord, SenatorAlex Antic.

Antic is also Pentecostal, an antivaxxer and a climate-denier, as well as anti-immigration, anti-abortion, and vehemently opposed to woke views on gender and sexuality. He is currently actively recruiting god-fearing conservatives to join him in politics in what is referred to as Alexs army.

Oh, did we mention that Mr Antic hasintimatedThomas Sewells National Socialist Networkneo-Nazis arepaid actors, planted by Laborto make anti-immigration activists look bad?

Before we write him off as inconsequential, however, it may be pertinent to point out that Antic was successful in toppling former South Australian Liberal frontbencherAnne Rustonto win the number one spot on the partys Senate ticket.

And the plot thickens. Antics ex-staffer, George-Alexander Mamalis, isheadingup a South Australianbranch of Charlie KirksTurning Point USA.

How positively Apostle-like.

Accordingto some of Antic's colleagues, Hes a very dangerous man, who may be trying to dismantle the party and rebuild it in Trumps image.

So, 'lets stop pretending they act in good faith'.

Maybe theres nothing wrong with dismantling todays Liberal Party, we hear you thinking. Perhaps. But in a democracy, we deserve aFederal Opposition that poses a reasonable and credible alternative, and contributes to a truecontest of ideas.

This editorial wasoriginally publishedas part of the Independent Australia weekly newsletter usually only available to subscribers and may be read online in the IAmembers-only area.

Follow managing editorMichelle Pinion [email protected] Independent Australia on [email protected], X/Twitter@independentausand FacebookHERE.

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