Queensland Liberal National Party senator James McGrath says the Coalition will not adopt a “small-target” strategy as it prepares for the next federal election, arguing that detailed policies are essential to rebuilding voter support.
Speaking to Sky, McGrath said opposition parties must develop solutions while holding the government accountable. He said the Coalition would focus on highlighting what it sees as Labor’s failures while presenting substantive policy responses.
“Part of being in opposition is ensuring that you have those solutions,” McGrath said.
“So it is highlighting the failures of this Labor government, of which there are many, and then it is ensuring that we’ve got those policy responses, those substantive policy responses as a party of government.”
His comments come as the Coalition faces pressure from Pauline Hanson and One Nation, with concerns about losing support to smaller parties.
McGrath argued there is a major difference between a party seeking government and smaller parties that can rely on simpler messaging.
“There is a big difference between being a party of government, which the Coalition are, and being a smaller party, which is very easy to try and govern by bumper stickers.”
He also said senior Coalition figures support a broader policy-driven approach ahead of the 2028 election.
“I am saying that we need, and I think everybody in the Coalition, I think Angus Taylor and Jane Hume and Matt Canavan have said, that there’s not going to be a small target strategy over the next 18 months.”