Andrew Hastie declares Liberal party could ‘die as a political movement’ if it does not commit to curbing immigration

Andrew Hastie says the Liberal party “might even die as a political movement” if it doesn’t commit to curb net overseas migration, as he defies his internal critics to launch another policy intervention.

“If we don’t act, we can expect anger and frustration,” Hastie wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

“We might even die as a political movement. So be it. What is the point of politics, if you’re not willing to fight for something?”

Hastie’s claims about a link between overseas migration levels and housing availability and affordability are not new.

But the timing of the post is significant after days of internal bickering about his other personal campaigns on net zero and manufacturing policy, which have prompted speculation he is laying the groundwork for a future leadership cha