Who decides how you live?
You work hard. Your rent goes up. You wait months for an operation. You fill in form after form to start a small business.
Libertarians ask one simple question: who should make the choices about your life? We think the answer is usually you.
The big idea in one sentence
People should be free to live their lives as they choose, so long as they do not harm others. (Libertarian Party WA)
That's it. Libertarianism is also called classical liberalism. It is about freedom, fairness and leaving people alone.
What we stand for
- Your life, your choice. You know your life better than any politician.
- Keep more of your pay. You earned it. You should keep more of it. (WA policy: Lower Taxes)
- Smaller government. Government should protect your rights through the rule of law and look after national defence. Beyond that, its power should be limited. (Libertarian Party WA)
- Free markets. When businesses compete for your money, you get better prices and more choice.
- Fair rules for everyone. The same laws apply to everyone, including the government.
- Personal responsibility. If you make the choice, you own the result, good or bad.
- Helping each other, by choice. Families, neighbours, clubs and charities solve many problems without being forced to.
These match the Libertarian Party's national principles: "individual liberty, free markets and small government." (Libertarian Party, Our Principles)
What this looks like in WA
Buying a home
An industry study found that about 36% of the price of a new Perth house and land package goes to taxes, charges and the cost of planning rules. Stamp duty brackets have not changed since at least 2010, while the average WA home price has more than doubled since 2017.
Read: Why a home costs so much
Your family's tax bill
On average, state taxes come to about $21,860 a year for a family of four. Many of these taxes are paid by businesses, then passed on to you in prices, wages and rent.
Read: Your family's tax receipt
Waiting for surgery
In 2024-25, 3 in 10 semi-urgent surgery cases on the list had waited longer than doctors recommend. The State's own target is zero.
Read: The cost of a wait
Your freedoms
Police can now scan anyone in a declared area with a metal detector, without a warrant, and there's no age limit. We want new powers like this to come with an end date and a public review.
Read: Lost freedoms
Red tape
We've made a list of state rules we would remove.
Read: Cutting the tape
Common myths
"Libertarians want no government."
No. We want a smaller government that does its main jobs well, such as the rule of law and national defence. (Libertarian Party WA)
"It's a right-wing thing."
Not really. We support lower taxes, which people call right-wing. We also support free speech and civil liberties, which people call left-wing. Both mean less government control over your life. (Libertarian Party, Our Philosophy)
"It's everyone for themselves."
No. We believe strongly in community. We think it works best when people choose to help, not when they are made to.
"Freedom means approving of everything."
No. Defending someone's right to make a choice does not mean you agree with it.
Our plans for WA
- Protect free speech in the WA Constitution. (Freedom of Speech)
- Cut taxes and make WA the lowest-tax state, starting with payroll tax and stamp duty. (Lower Taxes)
- Strengthen your right to defend your home against intruders. (Castle Law)
See all our WA policies.
Your next step
If this makes sense to you, join us. Members choose and support Libertarian candidates at WA elections, and help keep the State honest.
Not ready yet? Start with the facts on Uncovering WA.