Key facts
- Angus Taylor repeatedly refused to state his support for multiculturalism.
- Treasurer Jim Chalmers accused Taylor of aligning with One Nation's 'monoculture' stance.
- Liberal Senator Andrew McLachlan urged Taylor to "embrace the reality of modern Australia."
- Taylor later issued a statement supporting multiculturalism based on shared laws and values.
- Senior Liberals, including Jane Hume and Maria Kovacic, affirmed Australia as a multicultural society.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor faced criticism for repeatedly refusing to state his support for multiculturalism, instead asking for definitions and focusing on "Australian standards" and "core values." His evasiveness drew sharp criticism from Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who accused Taylor of "playing footsie" with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's recent call for a "monoculture."
Chalmers described Taylor's efforts to align with Hanson's views as "pathetic." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asserted that modern Australia is not, and never has been, a monoculture. Liberal Senator Andrew McLachlan urged Taylor to "embrace the reality of modern Australia," stating it is a prerequisite for leadership.
Taylor later issued a statement indicating support for multiculturalism where individuals respect laws and share values, stating, "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." This statement mirrored new "talking points" issued to Liberal MPs.
Senior Liberals, including Deputy Leader Jane Hume and Senator Maria Kovacic, affirmed Australia as a multicultural society. Hume rejected "the policy of cultural fear from the right," while Kovacic, daughter of Croatian migrants, called it "a beautiful multicultural society." Anne Ruston also stated Australia was "built on multiculturalism."
Some Liberals suspect Taylor's stance is influenced by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who commented that Australia has a "core Anglo-Celtic culture" and a "foundational Judeo-Christian ethos that should never change." McLachlan called Abbott's remarks "unhelpful."