Andrew Hastie Resigns Over Immigration Policy Exclusion

Senior Liberal MP Andrew Hastie resigned from Sussan Ley’s shadow cabinet, quitting as Shadow Home Affairs Minister after Ley’s ‘charter letter’ made clear he would not lead or develop the Coalition’s immigration policy. Hastie said he could not be silenced on immigration, will press an Australia‑first immigration agenda from the backbench, and insisted his departure does not constitute an immediate challenge to Ley’s leadership despite previously signalling leadership ambitions. Ley said Hastie did not raise specific policy concerns when he told her of his resignation and reiterated the expectation of frontbench solidarity, defending the charter letters as proactive taskings. The move follows Ley’s removal of Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and a string of provocative public posts by Hastie, deepening visible disunity in the party over immigration and climate ahead of the next parliamentary sitting. Most reports say Ley remains secure for now as the Coalition manages the immediate fallout; Hastie is expected to hold a press conference in Perth.