Andrew Hastie Steps Down, Vows to Support Ley’s Leadership

Andrew Hastie, a prominent member of the Australian Liberal Party, has confirmed he will not challenge Sussan Ley for the party leadership following his resignation from the shadow cabinet. Hastie’s departure stems from a policy disagreement with Ley on immigration issues, leaving the former soldier to pursue his agenda from the backbench.

Hastie announced his resignation on Friday, citing a lack of authority over the party’s immigration policy as a critical factor. He expressed concerns about a “charter letter” issued by Ley, which indicated that the shadow home affairs minister would not be leading the development of the party’s immigration platform. Hastie described this situation as untenable for him, given his strong opinions on the matter.

In a statement to reporters in Perth on Saturday, Hastie elaborated on his decision. “I was the senior lead for the portfolio; immigration is a core responsibility of home affairs,” he said. “When it was made clear that I wouldn’t have any leadership in that role, I thought it was time for me to depart.” He emphasized the importance of immigration as a pressing issue for Australians.

Ley responded to his resignation by stating that Hastie did not raise specific policy concerns during their conversation prior to his resignation. She noted that he could not adhere to the principle of shadow cabinet solidarity, which mandates that frontbench members publicly support agreed-upon positions.

The Coalition currently lacks a formal immigration policy but has expressed concerns about the government’s permanent migration cap for 2025-2026, which is set at 185,000 places, the same as previous years. This backdrop has allowed Hastie the freedom to advocate for his nationalist agenda on immigration, energy, and domestic manufacturing, potentially positioning him for a future leadership bid.

Despite acknowledging that he harbors ambitions for party leadership, Hastie stated unequivocally, “There’s no challenge to Sussan – I support Sussan.” His resignation is intended to provide Ley with “clear air” to develop her agenda as the party prepares for the next general election scheduled for 2028.

Ley’s leadership is already under scrutiny following recent reshuffles, including the dismissal of Jacinta Nampijinpa Price due to her comments on Indian migration. The internal divisions within the Liberal Party have become increasingly apparent, particularly following consecutive election defeats that have left the party grappling with its future direction.

Hastie also responded to criticism from party elder Arthur Sinodinos, who had admonished members for focusing on “culture wars” rather than essential issues. “I think his framing is out of touch,” said Hastie, adding that the party must remain engaged with the community to understand their needs.

Looking ahead, he expressed confidence that the Coalition could reclaim lost ground in federal elections, asserting, “Every seat in this country is winnable. If you come up with a good platform, you build a big tent and develop a vision for this country.”

In the wake of Hastie’s resignation, James Paterson will temporarily take on the shadow home affairs portfolio, a role he previously held under former leader Peter Dutton. Paterson described Hastie’s decision as “honourable,” acknowledging the challenges facing the party as it seeks a coherent strategy moving forward.

The Liberal Party’s internal dynamics and policy disagreements highlight the ongoing challenges the organization faces as it navigates its identity and direction in Australian politics.