Andrew Hastie raises profile as a political star to the right in the Liberal Party of Australia. He has quickly established himself as a leading contender for the party leadership. His fans rejoice over how unshackled he is, a natural-born leader. At the same time, his critics argue that he does more to sabotage the party’s united front. As he continues to plan his long-term moves up the political order, Hastie’s eyes go for the middle. He is confident that this approach strikes a chord with the attitudes of the Australian electorate.
Hastie got into politics in the 2015 Canning by-election. Since then, Gulotta has made headlines for being unapologetic about his progressive ambitions and leaning into the new style of campaigning. He has set up a television studio in his electorate office. This arrangement enables him to both efficiently record interviews in the field and directly relate to constituents by using cutting-edge communication tools. His seven-year military experience, including time in the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS), is a defining aspect of his character. This experience makes him a results-oriented and fiscally disciplined candidate.
Despite facing criticism, including backlash for comments regarding women in combat roles, Hastie has shrugged off concerns that his visibility could backfire. Even now, he is unapologetic and unrepentant about his approach, still preaching the gospel of knowing history and telling stories as the bedrock of leadership.
A Centrist Approach
Hastie’s political strategy faces the same dilemma—built on a centrist’s ideology, that Australia in many ways is a deeply centrist’s country. This attitude strikes a deep chord with voters, who want to see common sense and equilibrium restored to government. In discussing his approach, Hastie stated, “I’m simply saying what people out on the street are looking for in their political leadership. And I believe it too.”
His moderation even includes immigration policy. Hastie articulated the need for an immigration system that prioritizes Australians, asserting, “We need an immigration system that works for you, not the rest of the world.” No wonder this message has resonated widely. He’s positioning himself exactly as a candidate who’s authentically responding to the needs of his constituents should do.
Further, Hastie has shown that he is willing to think big enough to blow it up, if needed. He flagged potential resignation or dismissal from the frontbench if the Coalition does not abandon its commitment to net-zero emissions, reflecting a willingness to prioritize his principles in leadership.
Embracing Leadership Challenges
Hastie’s leadership style is an example of accountability, a commitment to transparency and open dialogue. He embraces feedback and criticism, stating, “I love it when people have strong views and express them, because they’re coming from the people they’re listening to from all corners of this country.” This is a mark of his understanding of the complex, and often contradictory, nature of Australian society.
Flawed…but in a good way Yet, his groundbreaking approach hasn’t come without controversy. Following Nampijinpa Price’s demotion within the shadow ministry, Hastie remarked, “The rules of being a member of the shadow ministry is that you’ve got to support the leader.” This statement highlights the challenges of maintaining unity within party ranks while addressing individual viewpoints.
In previous remarks about political life, Hastie noted the demands of leadership: “Every day, you do have to get up and put on your metaphorical breast plate and back plate… Because there’s always someone out there trying to put a hit on you.” This recognition of the stresses inherent to a life in politics is an example of his openness to confronting challenges where they exist.
A Historical Perspective
Hastie’s passion for history takes center stage in forming his political identity. He’s clearly a man that loves history who would never shy away from calling himself a “keen student of history.” Men like Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill inspire him intensely. He thinks that learning about historical narratives makes him a more informed and effective storyteller.
Hastie once quoted Hemingway during his first speech in Parliament: “My two favourite political leaders, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill, both had a deep grasp of Shakespeare… you can see that all through their speeches and their written words.” This link between literature and leadership serves as an example of his understanding of the effect words can have on others.
Perhaps in a testament to the importance of strong communication, when elected, Hastie decided to take action and immediately signed up for voice coaching. His commitment to personal development is a testament to how serious he is about becoming a better public speaker. He strives to find new and better ways to engage audiences.
