The impact of the Internet on Australian parties, their members, and the electorate, the growth of anti-immigrant politics in Australia

The work programme incorporates two research projects: the first examines the democratising claims for new information and communication technologies (ICT's) on the Australian party system, party members and the wider electorate. The findings will reveal how far adaptation to new ICTs in Australia promotes the position of minor parties versus major parties; and empowers party members and voters vis a vis national party and governing elites. The second project aims to assess how far racism motivates support for anti-immigrant politics in Australia. The findings will be compared to analysis in Europe and North America to establish whether globalisation of this phenomenon taking place.