Many conservative MPs are angry at the involvement of GetUp at this election, believing that the lobby group has overstepped its role and had too much influence, with outgoing Liberal MP Andrew Nikolic blaming the group for his loss of the seat of Bass. Senator Eric Abetz has called for a review into charitable groups that get involved in elections, except that as GetUp is not a listed charity, he may find that his review won’t get the results that he wants.
Christensen, who held onto his seat of Dawson despite concerted campaigning from GetUp, has put the call out for a new rival to the group — just a conservative version. In a Facebook post, he said: “Expressions of interest are sought by those interested in financing and forming a patriotic, conservative alternative to GetUp! If we do nothing, we will let the forces of socialism and globalism conquer.”
He has assured his followers that it wouldn’t be a political party, but a movement “to steer our nation back on track”. Christensen announced that he was looking for contributors for his new “War on Radical Islam” website in February, but there seems to be little movement on that front. While Ms Tips will not contribute to the group, we’re helpful types and have a few ideas for names. We like “Stagnation!” (the exclamation will get the kids in) or “Sit Down, We’re Just Fine”. One colleague suggested “Duck and Cover” and another “Rise Up”, but that one is already taken.
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