World Immigration News

(ABC NEWS)Liberal Party divided over policy direction as Angus Taylor plots right-wing political shift

Release Date: 2026-02-16
Media: ABC NEWS
Summary: The article describes growing internal divisions within Australia’s Liberal Party as it shifts further to the right under new leader Angus Taylor.

After a difficult political period and a leadership change, Taylor is trying to unify the party, which has already split from its Coalition partner. His leadership signals a stronger conservative direction, particularly on immigration, as the party seeks to counter the rising popularity of the right-wing One Nation party. He has stated that immigration should be restricted to people who align with “Australian values.”

Within the party, a controversial policy is being discussed that would deny visas to citizens of countries that refuse to accept back their deported nationals, similar to a recent UK approach. However, the proposal has intensified internal conflicts.

The divisions are not only between moderates and conservatives but also within the conservative wing itself. One faction favors a populist, “Australia First” strategy similar to Donald Trump or Nigel Farage, focusing on reducing immigration and promoting domestic industry. Another faction prefers the party’s traditional centre-right economic approach to regain moderate voters.

External pressure is also shaping the debate. The rise of One Nation and the influence of the conservative lobby group Advance, which runs strong anti-immigration campaigns online, are pushing the party further right. This has created tension, with moderates warning that harsh immigration rhetoric could alienate minority communities and damage the party’s broader appeal.

Some party strategists argue that moving too far toward populist policies could hurt the Liberals’ chances of returning to government. They believe the party should focus on a strong economic message rather than trying to imitate right-wing populist parties.

Overall, the article portrays a party deeply divided over its future direction, especially on immigration, as it struggles to balance the demands of its conservative base with the need to win back moderate voters.
Tags: Australia

News Articles including "Australia"

Released on

Article Title