My Place Australia, also known simply as My Place, is an Australian conspiracy theorist group.[1] The group is based in Melbourne and active in local government politics across Australia.[2][3] As of April 2024, My Place has around 180 active Facebook groups.[4]
| Formation | 28 November 2022 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Darren Bergwerf |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Website | web |
History edit
My Place was founded in 2022 by Darren Bergwerf, a former Australia One-endorsed candidate who contested the 2022 federal election, the 2022 Victorian state election and the 2024 Dunkley by-election.[5] The group plans to establisb a society that can defend itself from the "collapse of civilisation".[6]
The group promotes sovereign citizen messaging and conspiracy theories about COVID-19, vaccines, 5G, chemtrails, fluoride, wind turbines and smart cities.[4][7]
At the 2024 Queensland local elections, My Place members were active in a number of different local government areas, including Bundaberg, Gympie and Sunshine Coast. The local chapter of My Place in Townsville supported mayoral candidate Troy Thompson, who was successfully elected.[4] Thompson publicly thanked the group for their support.[6]
Members of My Place have expressed plans to contest the upcoming 2024 New South Wales local elections and 2024 Victorian local elections.[8]
Ideology edit
My Place Australia is widely regarded as part of the sovereign citizen movement. The group promotes anti-government and anti-establishment views.[9] The group has been described as a dystopian cult[10] and a fringe group.[11] It has also been described as an far-right extremist group.[12][13]
The group has promoted conspiracy theories about a wide variety of topics, including 5G technology, "chemtrails", climate change, COVID-19, renewable energy, transgender people, urban planning and vaccines.[4][7][9]
While Bergwerf has condemned neo-Nazism, he has stated that he is unsure whether or not the Holocaust actually occurred, with his reasoning being that he "wasn't there [when it happened]".[7]
References edit
- ^ Baker, Emily (4 April 2023). "Anti-vax group My Place is pushing to take 'control of council decisions'". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ "Inside the 'My Place' anti-government conspiracy group targeting councils". News.com.au. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ Dexter, Rachael; Preiss, Benjamin (22 April 2023). "Victorian councils targeted by conspiracy theorists' campaign of disruption and influence". The Age. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d Gillespie, Eden (11 April 2024). "My Place groups worry about 5G and chemtrails. Some are also taking an interest in Queensland's council elections". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ Cowburn, Brodie (18 January 2023). "Deputy mayor poses with fringe group founder". The News Bayside. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Troy Thompson linked to right-wing conspiracy group My Place Townsville". Townsville Bulletin. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ a b c https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-04/anti-vax-group-my-place-plan-to-influence-your-local-council/102166182
- ^ Cunningham, Melissa (7 January 2024). "Fringe groups have been causing council chaos. Now they plan to get elected". The Age. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ a b https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/antigovernment-protesters-are-taking-on-new-australian-protests/news-story/6c65829915fcdaa5a7c66027603c0b42?nk=ca13259eb2fc7c5850fe1dc555d95820-1717207808
- ^ https://www.councilwatch.com.au/post/community-or-dystopian-cult-you-decide
- ^ https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/fringe-groups-have-been-causing-council-chaos-now-they-plan-to-get-elected-20240104-p5ev7u.html
- ^ https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/remote/check_cookie.html?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.townsvillebulletin.com.au%2fnews%2ftownsville%2ftroy-thompson-linked-to-rightwing-conspiracy-group-my-place-townsville%2fnews-story%2ff6adee31043ec0c122904385ea4e3f33
- ^ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-03/%E2%80%98extreme%E2%80%99-groups-have-a-strategy-to-influence/102182806