In a dramatic shift within the federal Liberal Party, veteran MP Angus Taylor has been elected as the new federal leader, defeating contenders in a decisive caucus vote this morning. The elevation of the former energy minister and staunch conservative signals a clear move to the right as the opposition seeks to redefine itself ahead of the next federal election.

Taylor, the member for Hume since 2013, wasted no time in staking out his ground. In his first major address as leader, he openly declared his support for One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, praising her relentless campaign to hold the Labor government accountable for what he described as a “disastrous” record on cost-of-living pressures and immigration policy.

“I support Ms Hanson when the government keeps pushing people into an increasingly worse standard of living and uncontrolled mass immigration,” Taylor told reporters outside Parliament House. “Australians are hurting. Families are struggling to pay bills, rent, groceries, and fuel. Meanwhile, the Albanese government has allowed immigration numbers to surge without proper planning, infrastructure, or community consultation. That is not compassion – that is chaos. Pauline Hanson has been raising these issues for years, and she deserves credit for refusing to stay silent.”

The remarks immediately ignited controversy. Labor frontbenchers accused Taylor of “dog-whistle politics” and of legitimizing One Nation’s hardline agenda. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking shortly after the Liberal leadership announcement, labelled the comments “divisive and dangerous”, warning that aligning with Hanson risked dragging Australian politics toward extremism.

But Taylor was far from finished. In a follow-up social media post that has since been viewed millions of times, he issued a concise, 15-word declaration of support for Hanson that has sent shockwaves through Canberra and enraged the government benches:

“Pauline Hanson speaks truth to power while Labor hides from reality. Australia needs her courage now.”

The 15 words – “Pauline Hanson speaks truth to power while Labor hides from reality. Australia needs her courage now.” – were carefully crafted to be both succinct and incendiary. Within minutes, #TaylorForHanson and #AlbaneseFurious were trending nationwide. Labor MPs flooded social media with responses accusing Taylor of “tearing down the guardrails of mainstream politics” and of deliberately seeking to court One Nation’s voter base ahead of a possible preference deal at the next election.

Greens leader Adam Bandt went further, calling the statement “a dog-whistle to the far right” and urging moderate Liberals to speak out against their new leader’s direction. Independent MPs such as Helen Haines and Andrew Wilkie expressed concern that the Liberal Party under Taylor appeared to be abandoning the centre ground entirely.

Taylor’s election comes at a critical juncture for the Liberal Party. After successive election defeats in 2022 and a bruising state-level loss in New South Wales in 2023, the party has been searching for a clear identity and a leader capable of unifying the conservative and moderate factions. Taylor’s victory over more centrist contenders suggests the party room has opted for a harder-edged approach, one that prioritises economic populism, energy policy reform, and a tougher stance on immigration.

During his leadership acceptance speech, Taylor outlined three core priorities:

Restoring affordability by slashing energy prices and cutting red tape on housing development. Regaining control of borders through a return to “sensible, sustainable” migration levels. Holding the Labor government to account for what he called “a betrayal of working Australians”.

He repeatedly name-checked Pauline Hanson as a politician who had “consistently highlighted the failures of the current government when others were too afraid to speak up”. That direct endorsement marks one of the most explicit alignments between a major party leader and One Nation since John Howard’s era, and it has already prompted intense debate about whether the Liberals are now positioning themselves for formal or informal cooperation with Hanson’s party.

Labor’s response has been swift and furious. Treasurer Jim Chalmers accused Taylor of “playing politics with people’s lives” and warned that his immigration rhetoric would damage Australia’s international reputation and economy. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described the 15-word post as “reckless and irresponsible”, arguing that it inflamed community tensions for short-term political gain.

Prime Minister Albanese, in a pointed press conference, directly addressed Taylor’s comments: “This is not leadership. This is pandering to division. Australians want solutions, not slogans. They want a government that brings people together, not one that tears them apart. Mr Taylor’s embrace of Pauline Hanson tells you everything you need to know about where the Liberal Party is heading.”

Behind the scenes, sources within the Liberal Party say Taylor’s election was driven by a belief among conservative MPs that the party must differentiate itself sharply from Labor on cultural and economic issues. Moderates, however, are privately anxious. Several backbenchers have expressed concern that overt support for Hanson could alienate suburban voters in marginal seats – the very demographic the Liberals lost in 2022.

Pauline Hanson herself welcomed Taylor’s endorsement warmly. In a statement released this afternoon, she said: “I thank Angus Taylor for his honesty and courage. For too long, mainstream politicians have ignored the concerns of everyday Australians. It’s refreshing to see a leader prepared to stand up and say what needs to be said.”

The timing of Taylor’s leadership win and his immediate alignment with Hanson has also raised questions about strategy. With cost-of-living pressures still dominating voter concerns and immigration numbers remaining a flashpoint, the Liberals appear to be betting that a harder line on both issues will resonate with disillusioned Labor and One Nation voters alike.

Yet the risk is substantial. Analysts warn that any perception of a formal Liberal-One Nation pact could fracture the Coalition’s existing partnership with the Nationals, who have historically been wary of Hanson’s brand of populism. Nationals leader David Littleproud has so far remained silent, but sources close to the party suggest private discussions are already underway.

For Anthony Albanese and Labor, Taylor’s elevation presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While the government will seek to portray the new Liberal leader as out of touch and extreme, it must also contend with the reality that many Australians share the frustrations Taylor and Hanson have tapped into: rising bills, housing unaffordability, and concerns over rapid population growth.

As the political cycle accelerates toward the next election, Angus Taylor’s first 24 hours as Liberal leader have set the tone: unapologetic, confrontational, and willing to embrace controversial allies. Whether this strategy will win back disaffected voters or further alienate the political centre remains to be seen.

One thing, however, is certain: with those 15 words, Angus Taylor has not just claimed the Liberal leadership – he has thrown down a gauntlet to the Albanese government and reshaped the national conversation in a single, explosive afternoon.