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Retiring Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam has expressed support for Andrew Hastie to become prime minister after the next federal election or once Angus Taylor steps down as Opposition Leader. Duniam played a key role in the leadership contest that saw Sussan Ley replaced by Taylor earlier in the year and has played down speculation that Taylor could face another challenge before the election. He also suggested Hastie could be a suitable replacement for him as Shadow Home Affairs Minister, while denying plans to enter Tasmanian politics or retire because of concerns about a possible One Nation victory at the 2028 election.
The Issue: Retiring Liberal Jonno Duniam regrets how Sussan Ley was rolled, backs Andrew Hastie as future prime ministerRetiring Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam played a key role in toppling Sussan Ley and replacing her with Angus Taylor as Federal Opposition Leader at the start of the year.
Senator Duniam attended a secret meeting at a private residence in Melbourne on January 29 with key Liberal conservative faction figures - including then leadership contenders Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor – Senators James Paterson and Matt O’Sullivan – plus former MP Michael Sukkar. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the time said it was “astonishing” that the factional meeting had taken place on the same day. Duniam is close friends with Angus Taylor and his main leadership contender Andrew Hastie.
Duniam has played down any chance of Taylor being rolled before the next election, despite continued poor polling. The latest Guardian Essential poll had Labor on 29 per cent primary vote, One Nation on 25 per cent and the Coalition on 22 per cent. But the Tasmanian would support a Hastie push to become PM after the next election or once Taylor moves on.
“One day, down the track, after the next election, maybe that will be different. Maybe he’ll want to put his hand up. That’s something you’d have to ask him.
“If that’s a choice he made, then that’s something I would be personally and privately back in because he is a great Australian. ” Duniam also says Hastie would be a “great replacement” for him as Shadow Home Affairs Minister but ultimately it is a decision for the Opposition Leader. The upcoming sitting week is likely Duniam’s last as a Senator after he announced his retirement from federal politics back in June.
He denies he’s planning a switch to Tasmanian politics or is quitting because of a possible One Nation wipeout at the 2028 election. The chance to spend more time with his wife and three sons is the reason why the 43-year-old is leaving the profession before reaching his peak.
“I wasn’t there wasn’t there to deal with some of the issues that confronted our family like any other family - problems at school, problems at home, whatever they might be. “I’ve taken this job seriously, I’ve given it all I have had and I don’t look back and think, gee, I wish I’d have done more or could have done something better or differently. ”
Jonno Duniam Andrew Hastie Angus Taylor Liberal Party Australian Federal Politics
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