Senator Andrew Bragg defends controversial speech amid Liberal Party criticism

Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg is facing internal criticism from within the Coalition following a controversial National Press Club address. During his speech, titled “Australia’s housing necessities”, Bragg proposed reducing net annual migration to 180,000, a figure significantly lower than Treasury modelling projections.

Bragg also addressed topics outside his official housing portfolio, including taxation, the NDIS, and the Liberal Party’s need to find a “radical centre”. He criticized the party for failing to develop alternative policies over the last two decades, contributing to what he described as a national “malaise”.

Coalition colleagues, including James Paterson, have distanced the party from the remarks, characterizing them as Bragg’s “personal views” rather than official opposition policy. Bragg declined to confirm whether Liberal leader Angus Taylor had pre-approved the speech, stating he would not discuss personal interactions with colleagues.