Angus Taylor Won't Say If Coalition Supports Multicultural Australia

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 5:06 pm

Angus Taylor says people moving to Australia must share its core values.

In short:

Angus Taylor was asked five times if the Coalition still supports multiculturalism, but he did not commit to it.

The opposition leader also did not endorse an Australian 'monoculture', which One Nation has demanded.

What's next?

The Coalition wants an 'Australian values test' for immigrants, with Mr. Taylor saying he wants people to support shared values.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor refused to say if the Coalition still supports multiculturalism, avoiding an endorsement of One Nation's 'monoculture' demand.

Mr. Taylor was challenged multiple times on whether the Coalition supports multiculturalism or will follow One Nation's push to end it.

The opposition leader would not give a position, saying he wants people to support 'Australian values'.

Mr. Taylor said, 'You explain to me what you mean by that. I want all of us to share core Australian values.'

Pauline Hanson demanded an end to multiculturalism, saying the decades-long stance held by Labor and Coalition governments had failed.

She said, 'How can you generate social cohesion if people can't speak the language?'

'Under the failed policy of multiculturalism, all cultures are allowed equivalence to ours. Opposing that is not racist; it's common sense.'

Senator Hanson said 'nothing will really change' under her proposal, pointing to Japan as an example of the 'monoculture' she envisioned for Australia.

Japan's government endorses a policy of 'multicultural coexistence', expecting immigrants to learn the language, adhere to customs, and maintain a strict immigration policy.

Pauline Hanson called for Australia to reject multiculturalism and be 'monocultural', which involves a country united by shared values.

She said, 'I believe in Australians working together towards the same goal under the same flag, regardless of skin color, ethnicity, or background.'

'That's what monoculturalism is — a country united by what we share rather than divided on our differences.'

One Nation MP David Farley said people from other nations are welcome, but they should be 'Australian first'.

He said, 'You've come to this country and been adopted by this country; so, you're an Australian first. Blend in.'

Outgoing Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jono Duniam said he did not know what Senator Hanson proposed by calling for a monoculture.

He said, 'I don't know what it means; it's a bizarre concept.'

He added, 'The success of multiculturalism has depended on our capacity for people to accept their differences and look at what unites them.'

He said, 'That is what makes Australia a good country.'

He questioned whether Senator Hanson meant people should respect the rule of law, democracy, and equality before the law.

Taylor avoids committing Coalition to multiculturalism

After a reporter asked Mr. Taylor about his commitment to multiculturalism, he responded, 'I have been very clear what we have committed to.'

He said, 'I have answered that question four times.'

Pressed a fifth time, Mr. Taylor replied, 'Do you want to define that for me, Speersy?'

Mr. Taylor said, 'We can have people from all over the world; that is not a problem.'

He added, 'We can have people from all over the world, of all races and religions, but they must share those core values.'

He said, 'Others will carry on with all these other sort of theories; I think it is really simple.'

He mentioned, 'When you go to a citizenship ceremony, that is what we talk about.'

Angus Taylor was attacked over his responses by the prime minister during Question Time.

New citizens give an affirmation when becoming a citizen, asserting their loyalty to Australia and its people.

The Coalition proposed introducing a 'values test' for people seeking to migrate to Australia, enabling visas to be cancelled or refused where those values are not upheld.

After Mr. Taylor's press conference, Liberal MP Aaron Violi confirmed the party still supported multiculturalism.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese taunted Mr. Taylor at Question Time over his exchange with reporters.

Mr. Albanese said, 'My job isn't to give advice to this bloke, but my advice is how about you stand up to One Nation on something?'

He added, 'How about you be prepared to follow leadership and not bend the knee when asked questions like do you support monoculturalism for Australia?'

He said, 'Not a complex question, because we have never been a monoculture.'

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 5:06 pm