Liberal MPs are becoming 'exceptionally uncomfortable' with Angus Taylor's apparent strategy to compete with or outflank One Nation, a source says. The opposition leader's refusal to endorse multiculturalism during a press conference on Tuesday left colleagues dumbfounded and questioning his approach.
Taylor's non-answers on multiculturalism
At a press conference on Tuesday, Taylor repeatedly refused to say whether he supports multiculturalism, sidestepping questions and claiming 'there's all these vague words running around' before asking a reporter: 'Do you want to define it for me?' The line of questioning followed One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's declaration that Australia 'cannot be a multicultural society' and must be 'monocultural'.
Senior Liberals lined up on Wednesday to endorse Australia's cultural diversity. Outspoken backbencher Andrew McLachlan challenged Taylor to 'embrace the reality of modern Australia,' saying: 'It is a prerequisite of a leader to fight for the aspirations of each and every member of our community.'
Colleagues concerned over strategy
The opposition leader's answers were met with surprise and concern from some Liberal colleagues, who saw Hanson's 'monoculture' claim as crossing a red line and gifting the Coalition a clear opportunity to differentiate themselves from One Nation's agenda. 'Nobody knows what monoculture means and it won't resonate,' one Liberal MP said. 'The fact he [Taylor] didn't have any answer struck a bit of a confidence blow. Instead of capitalising on [Hanson's] errors, he is just tip-toeing.'
The Liberal said MPs across the factional divide were becoming 'exceptionally uncomfortable' with the strategy of attempting to compete with, or even outflank, One Nation on issues such as immigration.
Shadow minister criticizes 'monoculture' debate
Shadow foreign affairs minister Ted O'Brien described the debate over what a monoculture was as a 'silly one.' 'Who's in the mono? I don't know. Who decides who's in the mono? I mean, I assume it's government, right? And I'm a Liberal, I believe in small government, not big government. I mean, what do we have, a minister for cultural purity?' he told the National Press Club. 'The thought that Johnny, who's at work speaking English, can't go home and speak Italian to his nonna, that's nuts.'
Taylor's clarification and new talking points
In a statement late on Tuesday, Taylor indicated he did support multiculturalism in some form. 'I believe in an Australia where everyone respects our laws, shares our values and contributes to the fabric of our country,' he said. '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.' The statement mirrors new 'talking points' issued to Liberal MPs to help them respond to media questions on the subject.
Labor and Liberal backbenchers react
Taylor's comments were ridiculed by Labor in parliament, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers claiming: 'One of the reasons why the Liberal party is dying in [Taylor's] arms is because his efforts to out-One Nation One Nation are becoming increasingly pathetic.'
In an interview with Guardian Australia, Liberal MP Garth Hamilton challenged Hanson to explain how a 'monoculture' would be enforced. '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,' he said. 'We've never been a monoculture.'
Abbott's influence and Liberal response
Some Liberals suspect Taylor's equivocation is in part influenced by Tony Abbott, who issued a tacit endorsement of Hanson's position in a Sky News interview. 'Australia has a core Anglo-Celtic culture. We have a foundational Judeo-Christian ethos that should never change,' the former prime minister and now Liberal party president said.
McLachlan declared Abbott's 'philosophical musings unhelpful and deny the realities of modern Australia.' He added: 'Abbott should focus on building our campaign capability and organisational strength. Not trying to build a Tardis to take us to a time and place that never was.'
Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume said she did not agree with 'the politics of identity of the left' but also rejected 'the policy of cultural fear from the right.' 'We are a multicultural society. Let's face it, we already are. I had my three children christened in an Anglican church. My mother goes to Catholic church on Sundays, and I go to Greek Easter and crack little red-dyed eggs,' she said. 'I don't really care where you came from. I don't give two hoots what your country of origin is. What I care about is whether you're going to contribute to building our nation.'
Senator Maria Kovacic, the daughter of Croatian migrants, said Australia was 'a beautiful multicultural society' that has 'been built on the backs of many different migrants over the past 200 years.' Anne Ruston said Australia was 'built on multiculturalism.'
