Liberal MPs are becoming 'exceptionally uncomfortable' with opposition leader Angus Taylor's apparent strategy to compete with or outflank One Nation, according to a party source. The unease follows Taylor's repeated refusal to endorse multiculturalism during a press conference on Tuesday, leaving colleagues dumbfounded and questioning his leadership approach.
Taylor's Non-Answers on Multiculturalism
During the press conference, Taylor sidestepped questions about whether he supports multiculturalism, claiming 'there's all these vague words running around' before asking a reporter to define the term. This came after One Nation leader Pauline Hanson declared that Australia 'cannot be a multicultural society' and must be 'monocultural.'
One Liberal MP told Guardian Australia that the opposition leader's responses were a 'confidence blow,' as many saw Hanson's 'monoculture' claim as a red-line that provided a clear opportunity to differentiate the Coalition from One Nation. 'Nobody knows what monoculture means and it won't resonate. The fact he didn't have any answer struck a bit of a confidence blow. Instead of capitalising on her errors, he is just tip-toeing,' the MP said.
Colleagues Call for Embracing Modern Australia
Outspoken Liberal backbencher Andrew McLachlan challenged Taylor to 'embrace the reality of modern Australia,' stating that 'if you aspire to lead our nation you should embrace the reality of modern Australia.' He added, 'It is a prerequisite of a leader to fight for the aspirations of each and every member of our community.'
McLachlan also criticized former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who issued a tacit endorsement of Hanson's position, saying Australia has a 'core Anglo-Celtic culture' and 'foundational Judeo-Christian ethos that should never change.' McLachlan dismissed Abbott's comments as 'philosophical musings unhelpful and deny the realities of modern Australia,' urging Abbott to focus on building campaign capability rather than 'trying to build a Tardis to take us to a time and place that never was.'
Taylor's Clarification and Party Talking Points
Late Tuesday, Taylor issued a statement indicating support for a specific form of multiculturalism. 'I believe in an Australia where everyone respects our laws, shares our values and contributes to the fabric of our country. That is the type of multiculturalism that we believe in. We reject Labor's multiculturalism which sees different people held to different standards because of their cultural background,' he said. The statement aligns with new 'talking points' issued to Liberal MPs to address media questions on the subject.
Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers ridiculed Taylor's comments in parliament, claiming 'one of the reasons why the Liberal party is dying in your arms is because his efforts to out–One Nation One Nation are becoming increasingly pathetic.'
Liberal MPs Express Concern Over Strategy
One Liberal source said MPs across the factional divide were becoming 'exceptionally uncomfortable' with the strategy of attempting to compete with or outflank One Nation on issues such as immigration. The source noted that Taylor's equivocation on multiculturalism is partly influenced by Abbott, who has been a vocal advocate for a monocultural approach.
Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume distanced herself from both extremes, stating she doesn't agree with 'the politics of identity of the left' but also rejects 'the policy of cultural fear from the right.' She affirmed, 'We are a multicultural society. Let's face it, we already are.' Senator Maria Kovacic, the daughter of Croatian migrants, described Australia as 'a beautiful multicultural society' built by migrants over 200 years. Anne Ruston also said Australia was 'built on multiculturalism.'
One Nation's Monoculture Stance Challenged
Liberal MP Garth Hamilton challenged Hanson to explain how a 'monoculture' would be enforced, asking, 'Is a bulldozer going to be driven through Chinatown? Can I run a kebab shop? Can I go to the Greek Paniyiri festival? When the Russian ballet comes out, can I go watch that? I know this sounds ridiculous. Answer these freaking questions, Pauline. We've never been a monoculture.'
The internal party tensions highlight a growing divide within the Liberal Party over how to handle One Nation's influence, as Taylor's approach continues to draw criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
