Communist Party of Australia (Marxist–Leninist)

The Communist Party of Australia (Marxist–Leninist) (CPA (M-L)) is an Australian communist political party adhering to Marxist-Leninist ideology. It was formed in 1964 as the Communist Party of Australia (Marxist-Leninist) through a split in the Communist Party of Australia (CPA). The split was largely motivated by disagreements over the Sino-Soviet split, with the CPA (M-L) aligning with the Chinese Communist Party under Mao Zedong.

The party was founded by Ted Hill, who remained its chairman until his death in 1988. It strongly supported the Cultural Revolution in China and promoted Maoist principles in Australia. The CPA (M-L) was a vocal critic of both the Soviet Union and what it considered revisionist tendencies within the CPA.

Throughout its history, the CPA (M-L) has been involved in various social movements and campaigns, often focusing on issues related to workers' rights, anti-imperialism, and Indigenous land rights. It has consistently advocated for a socialist revolution in Australia and the establishment of a dictatorship of the proletariat.

Following the death of Ted Hill, the party experienced internal divisions and a decline in membership. Its influence on Australian politics has been limited, and it has never held parliamentary representation at the federal or state level. The CPA (M-L) continues to exist as a registered political party and publishes a newspaper, The Vanguard. Its ideology remains rooted in orthodox Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, though with adaptations to the Australian context. The party continues to analyze contemporary issues through a Marxist-Leninist lens.