Senator Andrew McLachlan has publicly endorsed Senator Andrew Bragg’s recent speech, urging his colleagues to “follow his lead” despite the significant division and rebuke it has caused within the Liberal party, including from opposition leader Angus Taylor. During his address at the National Press Club, Bragg proposed a policy aimed at reducing the national construction code and suggested a decrease in net overseas migration from its current level of approximately 300,000 to below 180,000 annually. This reduction, he argued, is necessary to keep pace with new housing developments.
Senior members of the party, such as Angus Taylor, were quick to dismiss Bragg’s proposed migration figures as merely his “personal views,” emphasizing that the party’s official policy was yet to be finalised. Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson also expressed skepticism regarding the migration target, advising against taking it seriously. Taylor reportedly counselled his frontbencher privately in the wake of the speech.
Despite the internal dissent, a number of moderates within the party, including McLachlan and Queensland Senator Paul Scarr, lauded Bragg’s speech as “terrific.” Others privately suggested that the media and internal reactions were “overblown.” McLachlan, a vocal South Australian senator known for his willingness to challenge party stances on issues like migration and climate change, hailed Bragg’s presentation as a “masterclass in thought leadership.” He further elaborated to Guardian Australia that Bragg’s address represented a crucial step in developing a comprehensive policy framework aimed at advancing the nation. McLachlan concluded that Bragg’s aspirations for Australia are commendable, stating, “Every member of the Coalition should follow his lead and discuss policy pathways openly.”
Scarr, who has previously demonstrated his independent streak by crossing the Senate floor in March to censure Pauline Hanson, echoed McLachlan’s sentiments, describing the speech as “terrific, high-level and reinforcing our core Liberal values.” Conversely, some Liberal MPs privately expressed frustration at what they perceived as Bragg’s lack of discipline, with one suggesting this might be his “last chance” for such interventions.
Despite the criticism, Bragg has maintained the importance of discussing bold ideas. The New South Wales senator acknowledged that many of his proposals, including a specific net overseas migration target, had not received the shadow cabinet’s approval. Nevertheless, he stressed the importance of “moving the debate on.” Bragg articulated his belief that voters seek “ambitious policy for tomorrow, not micro-announcements for today that aim to please and appease,” and expressed confidence that the party would be rewarded for presenting more detailed policy proposals.
On Friday, Bragg also sought to clarify remarks made during an interview on RN Breakfast, where he initially affirmed that Australians should accept substandard housing under his proposed changes to the construction code, which would make energy efficiency standards voluntary. In a subsequent social media post, Bragg claimed to have misheard the question, clarifying that houses built to the basic Australian Standard would be “strong, safe and sound homes with all the basic amenity, such as insulation, plumbing, sewerage etc” and “wouldn’t be” substandard.
An anonymous Liberal MP defended Bragg, attributing the internal “overreaction” to colleagues not having “reading what was actually in the speech.” This MP praised Bragg’s “brave” and “disruptive” approach, acknowledging that while it might initially cause discomfort, it was a sensible way to tackle problems given the ineffectiveness of past strategies. Even Nationals leader Matt Canavan, while rejecting Bragg’s suggestion to cut working holiday visas, lauded his “big ideas” and commended his energy and enthusiasm, highlighting the need for individuals like him within the political landscape.
