Liberal frontbencher rejects coalition with One Nation

Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan has firmly pushed back against any suggestions of forming a coalition with the minor party One Nation. He emphasized that the Liberal Party's sole focus is on its current coalition with the National Party, dismissing any discussions or considerations of partnering with One Nation.

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I'm very happy being a coalition of the Liberal Party and the National Party. That's all we're focused on.

"I'm very happy being a coalition of the Liberal Party and the National Party. That's all we're focused on," Tehan told Insiders on Sunday morning. When pressed repeatedly on whether he would remain in the Liberal Party if it were to join forces with One Nation, he reiterated that such a move was "not being talked about" and that the party was "not entertaining, not discussing, not thinking about" such a possibility.

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No, we do not want to be part of a coalition with One Nation. We're not entertaining, we're not discussing, we're not thinking about being part of a coalition with One Nation.

Tehan also distanced himself from remarks made by Liberal Party President Tony Abbott regarding migration. Abbott, in a speech in London, expressed concerns that migration from non-Anglo-Celtic cultures could dilute and extinguish existing Australian culture. Tehan stated he had not heard about the speech but clarified that migration policies are set by the party room.

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There are people who have a lot of views about this, but it is the party room which always has and always will set the policy agenda and that’s what we will continue to do.

He highlighted Opposition leader Angus Taylor's proposal to tie migration growth to the rate of new home construction. This policy aims to allow the construction sector to better manage higher levels of net overseas migration. Tehan added that while Australia is a diverse country, it is crucial to preserve the core values that have made it a great nation, emphasizing that multiculturalism thrives when underpinned by strong values.

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We're a country of diverse backgrounds, many cultures, but we've got to make sure that we do not lose those values that have made us such a great nation. Multiculturalism has worked for this nation when it's underpinned by incredibly strong values, and we don't want to lose those. If we lose those, then there will be pressure that comes on multiculturalism.