Leaked immigration policy debacle a boon for Angus Taylor

Every now and then, a complete balls-up can work in one’s favour.

The leaked document was prepared with signature blocks for Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Jonathon Duniam, and Shadow Immigration Minister, Senator Paul Scarr.

The tragedy that manifested at Bondi was, in my opinion, due to a two-pronged assault on our country. First, through a sustained domestic attack on Australian values and culture by our own political and cultural institutions, backed by Woke ideology. Second, by the federal and state governments and police by being actively weak on policing antisemitism and radical Islamist activism (which is still going on largely unchecked).

Sometimes in politics it is expedient to leak important documents.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Leaked immigration policy debacle a boon for Angus Taylor.

Every now and then, a complete balls-up can work in one’s favour.

Yesterday’s leaked Shadow Cabinet document marked ‘Shadow Cabinet-In-Confidence’ outlining the Coalition’s immigration policy did just that.

Article | https://t.co/Fu8ZmJiqTn pic.twitter.com/to3mCENHjN

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) February 16, 2026

The secret to Farrer...

The by-election to replace Sussan Ley is One Nation’s big chance.

According to recent vox pops, voters in Farrer are ‘disillusioned’ with some referring to their elected representative as ‘Lazy Sussan’.

Ley won in a three-cornered contest in 2001 but the Coalition arrangement since then has left it to the Liberals. If the Coalition had any sense, the Liberals would sit out of this one and let the Nationals have a go. But after 25 years, I doubt the Nationals have the support infrastructure they require. Whether Ley’s supporters can suddenly change gear is another story. Which brings me back to One Nation.

On the TV news, a young Indigenous man said he would vote for One Nation. Such a thought would make blue-haired progressives go feral and get a guernsey on ‘Lefties Losing It’.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, The secret to Farrer...

One Nation has started campaigning for the by-election to replace the Member for Farrer, former Liberal leader Sussan Ley.

This is One Nation’s big chance.

The Division of Farrer was the late Tim Fischer’s electorate, which he represented from 1984 until his retirement in 2001.… pic.twitter.com/5etOkBjmTL

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) February 13, 2026

Barnaby Joyce passes the pub test

How much money should the government make off your beer down the pub?

I arrived at Mr Joyce’s office just as the bells were ringing for a division. I was happy about this because I was running a minute late. Gunner time remains an important value. If you get it wrong, well. They don’t call we gunners ‘dropshorts’ for nothing.

Mr Joyce arrived and I backgrounded him on how I’d heard his speech from the gallery. I wanted to hear his views on the alcohol excise and the role he’d played in bringing about the freeze on the excise for the next two years.

‘Were you instrumental?’ I asked.

‘No, I played my part’, he replied.

Mr Joyce explained that One Nation has a policy to abolish the excise on alcohol served at venues. This would not be extended to bottleshops. The idea is about keeping pubs at the centre of community. Mr Joyce reinforced that this is particularly important in one-pub towns in regional and rural Australia.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Barnaby Joyce passes the pub test.

Barnaby Joyce, on behalf of One Nation, has put forward their plan to save the local pub - and your cultural Friday drinks.

The aim is to restore quality of life and curb government greed.

It is being presented as another policy that understands ordinary people - whether they… pic.twitter.com/QTtRk9QiSf

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) February 11, 2026