The sooner the Liberal Party can sort out its differences the better but it may take a while after Andrew Hastie’s departure to the back bench, according to one of the rogue MP’s closest colleagues.
Senator James Paterson says the opposition needs to resolve big questions about its policy positions as quickly as possible.
“But we do have to make sure we go through our processes,” he conceded.
“We have to make sure we have those debates.
“One of the reflections we’ve all had about the last parliamentary term is that there wasn’t enough debate and contest about ideas, that we need to robustly contest policy before we settle on it.”
Mr Hastie defended his decision on Saturday to quit shadow cabinet but ruled out challenging Sussan Ley for the party’s top job.
The former SAS soldier says he wants the freedom to be more outspoken on immigration by sitting on the back bench.
With the Liberals’ cabinet bound by solidarity when it comes to policy, members can’t cross the floor to vote against an established position.
“On the back bench, I’ll continue to advocate for things I believe in.”
His decision follows the recent demotion of another hardline campaigner on immigration, senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.
She was removed from the shadow ministry in September after refusing to apologise for comments disparaging of Indian Australians.
Senator Patterson described Mr Hastie as a very good friend, and his preference was for both he and Senator Nampijinpa Price to return to the front bench in due course.
“They are high-quality contributors to our cause and … we are better when we’ve got them on our team contributing,” he said.
“But they have made a decision to make that contribution for now from the back bench and I respect their decision.”
It wasn’t surprising that after the largest defeat in the Liberal’s history, there would be a period of debate and introspection,” Senator Paterson said.
“But that can’t go on forever.”
Ms Ley and Mr Hastie are at odds over his resignation, with the West Australian saying he quit because he wasn’t being given a big enough say in policy.
But Ms Ley said he didn’t raise policy matters when he called to inform her on Friday.
Asked about specifics on Saturday, Mr Hastie refused to get into the details.
The Liberals have not locked in any immigration policies as they undertake a major review following their crushing defeat in May.
The resignation came just days after Ms Ley wrote to her senior team, outlining policy priorities in their portfolios and her expectations about solidarity.
Mr Hastie denied he intended challenging her leadership and said no one had approached him to.
“I support Sussan. I tried to do this in good faith,” he said.
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