Liberal senator breaks ranks to take aim at Angus Taylor's 'negative' rhetoric on immigration

Guardian Australia · Dan Jervis-Bardy · Tuesday 19 May 2026

Liberal senator breaks ranks to take aim at Angus Taylor's 'negative' rhetoric on immigration

Backbencher Andrew McLachlan publicly criticises Angus Taylor's plan to bar non-citizens from welfare, warning the Coalition's immigration rhetoric is alienating diaspora communities.

McLachlan's noticed the dog whistle has feedback and someone in the room can hear it. One backbencher in the Senate works out that blaming the bloke who drives the Uber for the price of a unit in Parramatta isn't policy — and the party treats him like he's wandered in from another building. Menzies courted the migrant vote. This mob's running it off.

Also covered by

Michael West Media