Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has resigned as shadow home affairs minister following a dispute over immigration policy, intensifying pressure on opposition leader Sussan Ley. Hastie announced his decision on Friday night, citing a charter letter from Ley that excluded him from formulating the Coalition's immigration strategy.
In his statement, Hastie said: 'The leader has made it clear that the shadow home affairs minister won't lead the Coalition's response to immigration matters or develop the Coalition's immigration strategy. On this basis, I made the decision that I was not able to continue in this role and remain silent on immigration.' He noted that under the Westminster system, a shadow cabinet member unwilling to abide by collective solidarity must move to the backbench.
Hastie's resignation follows Ley's recent sacking of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who had declined to express confidence in Ley's leadership. Hastie, a conservative with backing from figures like former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, has openly discussed leadership ambitions. However, he stated that Ley should continue as opposition leader, saying: 'Sussan deserves the opportunity to lead, unencumbered by interventions from shadow cabinet colleagues.'
Ley responded that she expects solidarity from shadow ministers and that Hastie had indicated he could not guarantee this. 'This expectation is not new and is a fundamental feature of our Westminster system,' she said. She thanked Hastie for his service and assured him he remains a valued part of her team. Ley named Senator James Paterson as acting shadow home affairs minister, with further frontbench changes to be announced soon.
Hastie has been vocal on immigration and net-zero policies, warning that the Liberal party could 'die' if it does not curb net overseas migration, which he blames for the housing crisis. He has also called net-zero by 2050 a 'straitjacket' on the economy. Ley has insisted opposition policy should be carefully reviewed before the next election, despite pressure from Nationals and conservative Liberals to abandon net-zero targets.
