From cute dogs to Turning Point: the journey of an influencer aiming to breathe rightwing Christian values into Australian politics

Joel Jammal, Turning Point Australia’s national director, says the organisation is aiming to move into schools and universities and to sway the outcome of elections. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters

When George Mamalis started an Instagram account a decade ago, it was filled with beaches, sunsets, cute dogs and aesthetically pleasing food shots.

Now, the page is dedicated almost entirely to culture war material and Mamalis is a cog in Australia’s rightwing ecosystem.