Extremists extremely extreme!

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies. The Internet carries a vast range of information resources and services.

There are an extensive variety of groups taking advantage of the current worldwide internet available. One class of group is the extremist groups taking full advantage of the internet and social media that is available to them utilising it to their advantage to spread messages and recruit new members. 

a term used to describe the actions or ideologies of individuals or groups outside the perceived political center of a society; or otherwise claimed to violate common moral standards.

 It is argued whether or not the ‘Australian First Party’ fits into the category of an extremist group, in my opinion it does.

The Australia First Party (AFP) is an incorporated body, and as such, has become a federally registered political party under the auspices of the Australian Electoral Act. The Australia First Party has far-right ideals which can be seen as nationalistic and anti-multicultural.The party stands to abolish multiculturalism, and introduce a ‘zero net’ immigration policy meaning that the number of immigrants will be decided by how many Australians leave each year.

The Australian First Party has eight core policies:

1. Ensure Australia retains full independence 
2. Rebuild Australian manufacturing industries 
3. Control foreign ownership
4. Reduce and limit immigration
5. Abolish multiculturalism
6. Introduce Citizen's Initiated Referendums
7. Strengthen the family
8. Strive to rebuild a united Australia

It doesn’t take long to work out that Australia is built on being a very multicultural nation. The mix of different nationalities and the various cultures and backgrounds that come with this is what makes Australia’s culture what it is today. Take a walk down to your local shops and you are guaranteed to see many different races from many different countries all over the world.

To have a federally registered political party to contain core policies like reduce and limit immigration and abolish multiculturalism I think stinks. I believe these to be extreme policies and place the AFP under the banner of an extremist group with ideologies outside the perceived political centre of society. Who does this party think they are. We are so blessed to have a country like we do. Fresh water, health system, houses with heating and cooling, freedom of speech, and education just to name a few luxuries. Our nation is blessed, why shouldn’t we share it with those less fortunate, or those fleeing war torn countries of the world.

In saying this, out of many extremist groups I would say the AFP is mild compared to some extremist groups polluting the internet with their propaganda. Some common groups are National Alliance, Stormfront and Aryan Nations, and Ku Klux Klan. These groups are embracing the technological advances to spread their messages of hate and recruit members.

These extremists along with the AFP are utilising the resources at their disposal. Their own websites and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and blog posts, and Youtube many of these extremist groups are projecting their messages and views with the aim of recruiting new members to their groups. Internet provides freedom of speech with the option to remain anonymous.

I believe this to be a serious concern when the internet is so readily available and there are many young people, uneducated and often naïve that could be negatively influenced from these extremist groups.

Below is a promotional video that the AFP has on Youtube: 

 

Source 1

Source 2

Source 3

Source 4