Liberal senator Andrew Bragg has openly criticised his party leader, Peter Dutton, for attributing Australia's housing crisis to immigration, claiming the strategy backfired during the election. Bragg argues that this approach alienated key voter demographics and undermined the Coalition's credibility.
In a candid assessment, Bragg stated that Dutton's insistence on blaming migrants for housing shortages was a misstep that cost the party support. "Scapegoating migrants is not only inaccurate but politically damaging," he said. "Voters saw through the rhetoric and punished us for it."
Why the Strategy Failed
According to Bragg, the Coalition's focus on immigration as the root cause of housing unaffordability ignored broader systemic issues such as supply constraints, planning delays, and inadequate infrastructure. "Housing affordability is a complex issue that requires nuanced solutions, not simplistic blame games," he emphasised.
Analysts suggest that Dutton's hardline stance may have resonated with some conservative voters but ultimately repelled moderates and multicultural communities, who viewed the rhetoric as divisive.
Electoral Fallout
The Coalition's disappointing election result has sparked internal debates about its policy direction. Bragg's comments reflect growing unease within the party about its messaging on immigration and housing. "We need policies that unite, not divide," he asserted.
Meanwhile, housing advocates have welcomed Bragg's remarks, calling for bipartisan efforts to address the crisis. "Politicians must stop using migrants as a punching bag and focus on real solutions," said one advocate.
