Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has issued a stern warning to the newly appointed Coalition leader, Angus Taylor, about the potential for the Liberal Party to veer towards a 'One Nation-lite' stance. In a recent interview, Abbott emphasized the importance of maintaining the Liberal Party's core values, advocating for a strong stance on immigration and a return to the party's traditional, 'Menzies and Howard-era' principles. He emphasized that the party should not become a watered-down version of the Labor Party or the 'teal' movement, but instead, should remain steadfast in its commitment to liberal ideals.
Abbott's concerns stem from the belief that the current political landscape is quite different from the late 1990s, when Pauline Hanson's One Nation party was more influential. He acknowledged that Hanson has evolved, but still urged Taylor to avoid becoming a 'One Nation-lite' version of the party. Abbott's advice comes as the Liberal Party seeks to arrest its decline in the polls, which had shown them lagging behind not only the governing Labor Party but also One Nation.
Taylor, who won the Liberal leadership in a partyroom meeting, has already made immigration a key focus in his first press conference. He emphasized the need to 'shut the door' on those who do not subscribe to Australia's core beliefs, a stance that aligns with Abbott's views. Abbott, known for his 'stop the boats' policy, believes that Taylor must act on this stance to protect Australia's values and way of life.
The former Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of immigration numbers, advocating for a return to the average migration levels of the Howard years. He argued that the current high migration rates are putting downward pressure on wages, upward pressure on housing costs, and strain on infrastructure, while also raising concerns about social cohesion. Abbott's vision for Australia is one that is 'Anglo-Celtic and Judaeo-Christian', a character that he believes should be preserved to maintain the country's attractiveness to migrants.
While Taylor and Abbott share similar views on immigration, the Coalition MP Dan Tehan noted that the party's policy direction will ultimately be set by the parliamentary party. As the Liberal Party navigates this challenging period, the question of how to balance immigration with national values remains a key issue, one that will likely spark further debate and discussion within the party and among the public.
