New Liberal Party leader Angus Taylor is set to rejuvenate his frontbench by reinstating conservative figures Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. This move comes as Taylor seeks to reverse the Coalition’s plummeting popularity in recent opinion polls. The announcement is expected in the coming days, following a period of intense internal conflict that culminated in the ousting of former leader Sussan Ley after a short 276-day tenure.
The Coalition’s current standing is dire, trailing behind Pauline Hanson’s One Nation in several key polls, following their lowest-ever primary vote in last year’s federal election. Taylor’s leadership marks a strategic pivot aimed at revitalizing the party’s image and reconnecting with its base.
Strategic Appointments and Political Shifts
Among the anticipated changes, Victorian MP Tim Wilson is likely to be appointed as shadow treasurer, positioning him to challenge the Albanese government on economic issues. Andrew Hastie, who resigned from Ley’s frontbench due to disagreements over immigration policy, is being considered for the industry portfolio. Meanwhile, NSW MP Alex Hawke, a prominent Ley supporter, is expected to lose his shadow cabinet position.
On his first full day as leader, Taylor visited a young couple in regional NSW to underscore his economic vision. “Owning a home has always been an essential part of the Australian ideal,” he stated in Goulburn. “But it is getting too hard, young Australians are giving up hope.”
“And we need more homes, not less, if we’re going to have more affordability,” Taylor emphasized, as he pledged to oppose potential changes to the capital gains tax discount.
Coalition Dynamics and Internal Challenges
Taylor’s leadership also involves navigating complex Coalition dynamics, particularly with the Nationals. He dined with Nationals leader David Littleproud to discuss a potential fast-track for the party’s return to the ministry, following a six-week suspension due to a split over hate crimes legislation. A source within the Nationals indicated that the decision rests with Taylor, who has yet to commit to a specific course of action.
Jacinta Price, a Northern Territory senator who shifted from the Nationals to the Liberals, is among those eyeing a return to prominence. Her previous dismissal from Ley’s shadow ministry was due to her refusal to endorse Ley’s leadership and controversial remarks about Indian immigrants.
Policy Focus and Future Directions
Immigration policy is set to become a central battleground for Taylor’s leadership. The Coalition plans to unveil a new policy aimed at increasing the departure rates of temporary visa holders to rebalance net migration. This initiative was developed under Ley but remains unreleased.
Senator James Paterson, a key ally of Taylor, is expected to retain his role as finance spokesman. Meanwhile, Deputy Leader Jane Hume has not yet defined her new responsibilities but emphasized her commitment to representing the party’s values.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking at a Country Labor conference, criticized the leadership change, highlighting the internal strife within the Liberal Party. “It is extraordinary that they have had eight months of plotting,” Albanese remarked, “to deliver the two people to the leadership positions who more than anyone else were responsible for alienating the Liberals from the Australian voters.”
As the Liberal Party navigates this pivotal moment, Taylor’s decisions in the coming days will be crucial in shaping the party’s trajectory and addressing the challenges that lie ahead.
