Liberal leader tackles next job as front bench unveiled
All eyes are on the coalition’s immigration policy as leader Angus Taylor calls for unity after the announcement of a front row rewarding his supporters.
Mr Taylor spent his early days in leadership provoking the opposition’s stance on immigration, vowing to reduce immigration numbers and “shut the door” on people who do not respect Australian values.
He said an immigration policy would be developed with the new-look shadow cabinet, but details would not be included.
“For too long immigration numbers have been too high and standards too low,” Mr Taylor said.
“If someone does not accept our core beliefs, the door should be closed.”
Mr Taylor returned members to the front row who were ousted by former leader Sussan Ley, whom he sacked in a party hall vote on Friday.
“Today marks a new beginning, an opportunity to leave the past behind and remember that our historic strength comes from unity,” he said in Sydney on Tuesday. he said.
Conservative supporter Senator Jonno Duniam has been given the job of shadow home affairs and immigration minister.
“We will preserve our way of life. We must get the immigration policy right,” Mr. Taylor said.
He has refused to see an immigration policy document developed under Ms Ley’s chairmanship and leaked to the media on Monday that takes a hardline stance banning immigrants from certain parts of 13 countries.
Regions included are Afghanistan, Gaza, Lebanon, Somalia and Egypt.
The proposal also aims to more quickly remove up to 100,000 asylum seekers and people on student visas.
“Frankly, I don’t know what the document is,” Mr Taylor said on the ABC’s 7.30 program on Monday.
Paul Scarr, the former immigration minister who lost his shadow ministry, said on Monday that he “never accepted” or signed the policy document and rejected the issue of a country ban.
Andrew Hastie, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Sarah Henderson were promoted in the shadow cabinet reshuffle.
Several moderates and key supporters of Ms Ley, including Alex Hawke and Paul Scarr, have been removed from the front bench.
Deputy leader Jane Hume, who leads the opposition in managing the economy, holds the finance portfolio and Tim Wilson is shadow treasurer.
Moderate Andrew Bragg retains the housing portfolio and will take on the role of environment spokesman, while James Paterson has moved from finance to defence.
Conservative West Australian MP Andrew Hastie left Ms Ley’s frontbench last October, citing disagreements over immigration policy. Mr. Taylor gave him the energy portfolio.
The Liberals hope to bounce back under Mr Taylor’s leadership after losing votes to One Nation in recent opinion polls.
Pauline Hanson’s anti-immigration party has surged in opinion polls since the federal election.
