Andrew Hastie has stunned colleagues and quit the Liberal frontbench Friday after staking out his own nationalist agenda on migration, manufacturing and net zero.
Hastie, who had been the opposition’s Home Affairs spokesman, phoned Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to inform her on Friday. Sources said the West Australian informed her he could no longer maintain shadow cabinet solidarity.
Ley’s office confirmed the news on Friday evening. In the Australian 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 policy.
“On this basis, I made the decision that I was not able to continue in this role and remain silent on immigration.
“Therefore out of respect for Sussa