Newly elected Liberal leader Angus Taylor has flagged a sharper focus on immigration and a renewed emphasis on what he calls “Australian values” in his opening pitch to reclaim voters drifting from the Coalition.
Flanked by deputy Jane Hume at his first press conference in Canberra, Taylor said the party would prioritise policies aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and restoring confidence in border settings.
Senator Hume stressed the Liberals would not lurch “left, right or centre”, but would concentrate on representing “hard-working Australians”.
Taylor confirmed a detailed immigration policy would be unveiled within weeks, declaring current settings had allowed intake levels to climb too high.
“It is clear that numbers have been too high and standards have been too low.”
He argued migration should serve the national interest and insisted that newcomers must embrace Australia’s democratic system, rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
“If someone doesn’t subscribe to our core beliefs, the door must be shut,” he said, adding that while “good migration” benefits the country, “we don’t want bad immigration”.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported net overseas migration of 306,000 in 2024–25, down from 429,000 the previous year, but still well above historical averages.
Taylor rejected suggestions the Liberals were attempting to mimic One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, amid polling showing some conservative voters prefer the minor party’s tougher stance on borders. “We are not seeking to be One Nation-lite,” he said.
“But we respect that voters considering One Nation have their reasons, and we need to restore their confidence in us.”
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott backed Taylor’s leadership but urged him to adopt a significantly lower migration intake, pointing to the average annual level of about 100,000 during the Howard years.
In an interview on ABC 7.30, Mr Abbott said recent migration levels — which he claimed had approached half a million in some years — had placed pressure on wages, housing and infrastructure, and strained social cohesion.
“I want the Liberal Party to have the best possible immigration policy and that will mean smaller numbers and a much bigger emphasis on Australian values.”
Abbott also argued that long-term residents should commit to Australian values, saying every nation had a right to preserve its character. He expressed reservations about multiculturalism “run off the rails” and voiced support for stronger expectations of integration.
Earlier, Taylor secured the leadership in a partyroom ballot, defeating Sussan Ley, who has since announced plans to leave parliament. The change comes as Coalition polling trails both Labor and One Nation.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull criticised the shift in tone, arguing the Liberals must reconnect with “middle Australia” and rebuild their economic credentials rather than drift further right. “No leader is the answer,” Turnbull said, contending the party needed to return to the political centre to regain credibility.
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