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Australian implications of the Christchurch massacre
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Australian politics has been focussed on last Friday’s terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, which has been condemned by Australia’s Government and Opposition. The attack has acute political impacts in Australia (both at the State and Federal level) because of the Australian nationality of the alleged attacker and the close links between the two countries.
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Government ministers and national security officials will meet today to discuss the threat posed by right-wing extremists in Australia. Concurrently, in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has flagged her intention to enhance New Zealand’s gun laws, as well as information sharing and cooperation with Australian security agencies.
This event will impact both Federal and State politics in Australia. In New South Wales — where this weekend’s election will probably deliver a hung parliament and minority government — the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, which has advocated for the relaxation of gun laws, will probably hold the balance of power and have significant influence on the next NSW Government.
Federally, conservative figures in the Government — such as Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton — have a long-standing reputation of being hard-line on immigration, in some cases criticising the Australian Islamic leaders for failing to drive assimilation. This event necessitates they show a degree of sympathy which may contradict their long-standing reputations, and cost them votes on the right. However, Mr Morrison will probably try to make ground in the political centre to reinforce his credentials on national security and law and order. The Government and Opposition have both condemned inflammatory comments by Independent Queensland Senator Fraser Anning over the weekend, which have received widespread media coverage. The Government will be concerned that Mr Anning — who is also seeking re-election — may bleed-off right-leaning voters in his strongly conservative state. This may impact several marginal seats in Queensland, which the Coalition must win to retain Government.
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