Opposition Leader Angus Taylor repeatedly refuses to give a direct answer on whether he supports multiculturalism, following comments by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson urging Australia to be “monocultural.” In the lead-up to and during parliamentary proceedings, Taylor is pressed on multiple occasions—at a press conference and in question time—to confirm his position. Reports say he does not clearly endorse multiculturalism or endorse Hanson’s “monoculture” idea, describing his answers using phrasing that includes “vague words” and later indicating he supports “a version” of multiculturalism.
Labor ministers and senior figures accuse Taylor of avoiding the issue and of aligning with Hanson’s framing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Taylor appears to be seeking to “out-One Nation, One Nation” and describes the approach as “playing footsie” with monoculture language. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticises Taylor’s stance as reflecting nostalgia for a time that “has never existed” in Australia.
Meanwhile, Labor ministers state they back multiculturalism, and some within the Liberal Party raise concerns that Taylor misses an opportunity to clearly distinguish the Coalition from One Nation.
