Andrew Hastie has stepped back from the Shadow Cabinet after it was made clear he would not be leading the Liberal Party’s response on immigration.

The Shadow Home Affairs Minister confirmed he would not challenge the Liberal leadership following months of tension between the right wing former senior soldier and the Liberal Party’s first female leader.

Mr Hastie received a letter from Sussan Ley this week telling him he would not be leading the party’s response on immigration or developing the coalition’s immigration policy.

“She emphasised Shadow Cabinet solidarity and as a consequence, I came to a judgment that I could no longer serve in the Shadow Cabinet,” he said.

“Immigration is the responsibility of Home Affairs, so when it was made clear that I wouldn’t have any leadership in t

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