Australia’s rising right-wing populism reflects real economic and social grievances, but it is increasingly drawing on imported MAGA-style strategies that turn public anger into culture war rather than Australian solutions.

Alex Fein of RedBridge has argued that it is time to call a growing political problem by its proper name: foreign interference. Alex’s focus is not on traditional espionage or state-backed operations, but on the increasingly visible role of overseas political consultants, campaign strategists and ideological networks in shaping right-wing populist movements across democratic societies.

The influence of the American MAGA movement has become particularly significant. What began as a domestic political movement in the United States has evolved into an international political brand, complete with campaign techniques, messaging strategies, social media tactics and a worldview that is now being exported to allied democracies.

Pauline Hanson’s address to the National Press Club provides a useful case study. While Hanson’s political appeal remains rooted in distinctly Australian concerns – cost-of-living pressures,........

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