Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has accused both major parties of failing to defend Australia’s democracy after former Trump strategist Steve Bannon boasted he was behind Clive Palmer’s record-breaking advertising campaign during the 2019 federal election.
She described the revelations as a direct threat to Australia’s democratic system, saying: “This is clearly an attack on the sovereignty of our elections and the direction of our nation. It is foreign interference, and it worked.”
Hanson-Young questioned why neither major party had responded forcefully, asking: “Seriously, when is either the Labor or Liberal parties going to stand up to this right-wing US rot and defend Australia’s democracy?”
She said the campaign reflected the interests of powerful actors opposed to climate action, adding: “Is it any wonder that these mega rich, ultra-right men wanted to stop climate action and whip up xenophobia.”
Hanson-Young argued Australia’s vulnerability revealed deeper problems in its relationship with Washington.
“And to think that Australia was easy pickings for them says everything about how the major parties have managed our relationship with America.
“Both Labor and the Liberals have made us patsies to the US. Just look at the billions of dollars Australians are paying for AUKUS, even now when President Trump is crazier and more dangerous than ever.”
