Andrew Hastie Resigns from Liberal Party Frontbench Over Immigration Dispute

**Andrew Hastie Resigns from Liberal Party Frontbench Over Immigration Dispute** Andrew Hastie has resigned from his position on Sussan Ley’s frontbench, citing disagreements over immigration policy. The West Australian MP announced his decision on Friday, stating he could not continue in his role as shadow home affairs minister if he was not allowed to address migration issues. In his resignation 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 policy. On this basis, I made the decision that I was not able to continue in this role and remain silent on immigration." He emphasized that his resignation was out of respect for Ley’s leadership, adding, "Sussan deserves the opportunity to lead, unencumbered by interventions from shadow cabinet colleagues, especially as the Coalition builds out a policy platform for the 2028 election." Hastie's departure follows weeks of tension between him and Ley, who has been steering the party in a more moderate direction. Hastie has been vocal about his desire for the party to adopt a more populist stance, advocating for significant cuts to migration and promoting an "Australia first" approach. His views have garnered support from conservative members of the party but have also raised concerns among moderates. Despite insisting he has no immediate plans to challenge for the leadership, some colleagues view his resignation as a potential precursor to a broader conservative movement against Ley. This comes after she narrowly secured the leadership following the Coalition's significant loss in the 2025 election. Ley confirmed the resignation and stated that Hastie had not raised any specific policy issues during their conversation. She reiterated the importance of shadow cabinet solidarity, saying, "Compliance with this convention has always been a prerequisite for serving in both cabinet and shadow cabinet." Hastie, who has been a prominent conservative voice since his election in 2015, remains a significant figure within the party. His resignation adds to the internal challenges facing Ley as the Coalition navigates its future direction amid ongoing debates over immigration and other key policies. The situation continues to evolve, with further developments expected as the party grapples with its internal divisions and prepares for upcoming elections.