Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is confronting an emboldened conservative backbench bloc following the resignation of Andrew Hastie from the shadow cabinet, Liberal MPs have warned. Hastie stepped down on Friday after Ley informed him he would not play a role in shaping the Coalition's immigration policy before the next election, despite holding the home affairs portfolio.
Victorian Liberal Sarah Henderson said Hastie had been 'sidelined' for his views on immigration, but noted that 'the backbench is a very powerful place to be'. The resignation has caused frustration and confusion over its timing, undermining plans to scrutinise the government in Senate estimates hearings this week, including over Optus triple-zero outages and the return of Australian women and children from Syria.
Senators James McGrath and Jane Hume, along with shadow attorney general Julian Leeser and shadow education minister Jonathon Duniam, are expected to benefit from the reshuffle triggered by Hastie's departure. Shadow immigration minister Paul Scarr, a moderate, is likely to lead the formulation of Coalition immigration policy.
Conservative MPs have downplayed any immediate challenge to Ley's leadership, but stressed that backbenchers are free to speak on policy positions. Ley's backers argue that Liberals seeking changes to migration rules should engage through the party's policy development process. Ley could also accelerate the Coalition's internal debate on net zero by 2050 policies to calm internal tensions.
