Overview
- Andrew Hastie told 2GB he backs Sussan Ley and called leadership chatter “mischievous,” while doubling down on calls to cut migration and labelling net zero a “con job.”
- His Instagram post warned Australians are “starting to feel like strangers in our own home,” drawing a rebuke from Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who cited ABS figures showing net overseas migration has fallen more than 40% from its post‑pandemic peak.
- ABS data referenced in coverage show net overseas migration at about 446,000 in 2023–24, down from a peak near 556,000, with Treasury projecting further declines toward long‑term averages.
- Liberal veteran Amanda Vanstone urged Hastie to be a team player and cautioned that hardline rhetoric on immigration and climate risks alienating inner‑city voters the party needs to regain.
- Conservative allies including Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Matt Canavan publicly backed Hastie, while Deputy Opposition Leader Ted O’Brien cast the dispute as “robust debate” as the Coalition’s policy review continues.