We keep hearing about the "hard left" and the "extreme
right." So, I looked those terms up.
It seems that in 2016 The Guardian ran with the headline -
"The Left is having a moment everywhere... except in
Australia" and advocated that "In the US, the UK and
throughout Europe leftist parties are presenting a
real alternative to conservatism."

"Australia seems like
the odd man out. We were told that even the Greens seem
much less like an insurgent third force connected to a
vibrant social movement and more as a group with a focus on
parliamentary deal-making."

So the question is - did the extreme left die out about
40 years ago with the ousting of the Labor government
under Prime Minister Whitlam in 1975? Does a hardline
left really exist or have hardline leftists lost their
expression in Australia's mainstream politics?
As one reader posted on the web - "leaving conservative
keyboard warriors effectively shouting at clouds?"

Josephus,
as did many Europeans, many Australians are also finding it easier not to do anything to stop the take-over of their Nation.
It's a mixture of stupidity & apathy fuelled by short-term gain.

Dear o sung wu,

You wrote,

“The day I'd ever feel under siege from any of those among the 7 that you've named on your side, will be the day I'll finally pass through the door of God's waiting room.”

Well old chap they must be oiling the hinges since talking about having a target ‘squarely on your back’ in ‘order the far left have a point of aim and point of impact’, sounds like a siege mentality in my book.

But then what would I know.

As to my ‘one dimensional thinking’ I will certainly apologise if my division of the posters based on preconceptions of how you would have done it is in error. Perhaps you could enlighten us on what you would change. Keep in mind I stated it was not the list I would have created.

Dear Canem Malum,

Indeed. Social progressive but economic conservative is how I saw myself for many years but as I said the whole bloody show seems to have tramped off to the right. In the light of so many Australian supporters of people like Trump who is so dramatically opposed to any form of universal health care makes my label of economic conservatism look like a joke.

Social progressive but economic conservative
Steeleredux,
That's like joining the + to the - wire.

It's very complex when you consider the media, government, public service, school, Corporate HR narratives- have a big influence on the public.

Diversity, same sex marriage, multiculturalism, political correctness, hate crimes, various UN initiatives are Socially Progressive policies that have world wide impact.

This is a symptom of a Socially Progressive dominance since the 1970's and going back as far as the 1950's.

Environmentalism interestingly in some ways is a "Socially Conservative" policy (animal plant society). The Green's are perhaps a "progressive party" with claims of a "Conservative Environmental Policy". It appears the Green's may have conflicting policies.

Perhaps since the 1970's we have seen massive growth in the dominance of corporations over family based business changing the landscape in the economic sphere. The restaurant McDonald's came to Australia in the 1970's. This is a symptom of Economic Conservatism and a loss of the self sufficiency of the community

Josephus,

That was an interesting and informative video from Sweden; I wonder how many OLOians watched it?