Andrew Hastie sensationally quits Sussan Ley’s shadow cabinet following weeks of speculation

Andrew Hastie has sensationally quit Sussan Ley’s front bench, after weeks of speculation that his push to revive conservative values was undermining her leadership.

In a statement, the senior WA Liberal said he offered his resignation as Shadow Home Affairs Minister to give the Opposition Leader clear air, and revealed it was a divide over immigration policy that cemented his decision.

“The Leader has made it clear that the Shadow Home Affairs Minister won’t lead the Coalition’s response to immigration matters or develop the Coalition’s immigration strategy,” he said.

“On this basis, I made the decision that I was not able to continue in this role and remain silent on immigration.

“Therefore, out of respect for Sussan’s leadership, I am resigning from the frontbench.

“Sussan deserves the opportunity to lead, unencumbered by interventions from Shadow Cabinet colleagues, especially as the Coalition builds out a policy platform for the 2028 election.“

Mr Hastie said he wishes “Sussan and the Shadow Cabinet every success” but is yet to respond to questions or rule out a challenge.

He’s called a press conference in Perth for Saturday morning, with speculation already mounting that stepping back from shadow cabinet could spur the Member for Canning’s leadership ambitions.

One source told The West Australian: “There’s no challenge, yet. Not this year.”

It is the second big-name exit from Ms Ley’s front bench, after Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was dumped, when she refused to voice support for Ms Ley during a visit to Perth last month.

In a statement on Friday night, the Opposition Leader insisted Mr Hastie will remain a “very valued” part of her Coalition team.

She confirmed the conversation with Mr Hastie was triggered by “charter letters” she sent to every Shadow Minister this week, in the wake of Senator Price’s axing.

“They set out key performance indicators, general expectations and shared policy priorities,” Ms Ley said.

“In each phone conversation, and then in each letter, I made clear that every member of the team was bound by the ‘shadow ministerial solidarity’ convention that has always been a prerequisite for serving in both cabinet and shadow cabinet.

“This expectation is not new and is a fundamental feature of our Westminster system of governing.

“Today, Mr Hastie informed me via telephone that he would be unable to comply . . . and on that basis he would be resigning his position as Shadow Minister for Home Affairs. Mr Hastie did not raise any matters relating to policy on this call.”

She expressed disappointment with the timing of his decision.

“This is a very important time for the Opposition to have a strong voice scrutinising government failures in the Home Affairs portfolio,” she said.

“It is disappointing that this crucial Opposition portfolio has been left vacant today. Formal changes to the Shadow Ministry will be announced shortly.”