Gary Walker on EUREKA, the ATP

As many “left wing” hatemails have claimed, socialism in Australia seems to think that it has a divine right to claim the Eureka Stockade, or in particular its amazing flag, as their own private property. It isn’t.
Peter Lalor and the rest were essentially libertarian running through to card-carrying (figure of speech) anarchists and traditional living Chinese, Aborigines and part Aborigines, and every other colour race and religion. Yes, “even” islamic people.

They threw off albeit temporarily the chains of collectivism and authoritarianism and thought outside the box. They were essentially what might be called ultimate small government types- and that makes them conservative. The wanted a fast pace of change, arguably, which is not conservative, but we at ATP believe that in fact it was not radicalism but a desire for the quintessential fair go that defined the rebellion and the broader movement. It is how we define ourselves.

Conservatism can come direct from love of rights and liberty, and a desire to see police states big and small not trample them. It is the socialist collectivists (whether “communist”, “nazi” or just “mainstream” political party) and union thugs who are the enemy of the Eureka spirit.

Wrapping your fist in a flag before bullying other people is anathema to the EUREKA spirit.

Gary Walker, Australian Tea Party