Outspoken MP and Liberal leadership aspirant Andrew Hastie has quit the opposition front bench in a move that will likely further destabilise Sussan Ley's control over the beleaguered party.

The Western Australian MP said he resigned from shadow cabinet after Ms Ley made it clear he would not lead the coalition's response to immigration matters despite his role as opposition home affairs spokesman.

"On this basis, I made the decision that I was not able to continue in this role and remain silent on immigration," Mr Hastie said in a statement on Friday evening.

"It is a well-established standard in the Westminster system that, if a member of the shadow cabinet is unwilling to live by the convention of solidarity, they must depart to the backbench.

"Therefore, out of respect for Sussan's

See Full Page