Purge of extremists in young Nats leads to 20 casualties

Last week, 15 members of the Young Nationals resigned as the NSW party launched an inquiry into the infiltration. The infiltration was exposed by The Land back in May, and subsequent ABC programs have further exposed the extent of alt-right interest groups in the Young Nats.

A motion on limiting immigration to ‘culturally appropriate nations’ was only narrowly defeated at the Young Nats conference at Lismore in May. NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro gave a spirited talk against the motion calling on the Young Nationals to stick up for the party’s inclusive platform. At the time members were uneasy new young Nationals at the conference from Sydney.

It is believed the internal party audit will not be released publicly as there are privacy concerns. The Nationals issued a statement last week on the matter.  

“The NSW Nationals were handed information about an alleged deliberate infiltration of the Party by far-right extremists, who do not share the values and beliefs of The Nationals,” the statement said.

“An urgent investigation by the Party’s Constitution and Ethics Committee was carried out, prompting the resignation of 15 members of the Young Nationals on Wednesday afternoon. The NSW Nationals are extremely pleased that these people have resigned from the Party, but have pledged that the investigation will be ongoing. We are glad the investigation was handled quickly and effectively, but will not rest until every last one of these extremists have been identified and removed from the Party.

“Our Party has been successful for almost a century because of proud, regional-focused members in Branches right around the country doing what they do best. The National Party we know and love is one that stands up for rural and regional people, fighting to get their fair share. The politics of hate and racism have no place in our Party or any modern democracy, and we will not tolerate attempts by extremists to hijack democratic processes to further their own ends.”