The immigration portfolio, held by Paul Scarr, sits underneath Hastie’s home affairs position. As home affairs shadow, Hastie – just like Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke – should have ultimate authority over all policy areas in the portfolio. The fight over whether Hastie or Scarr should handle immigration is symbolic of the bigger debate. Hastie’s resignation comes after Opposition Leader Sussan Ley wrote to Liberal MPs demanding their loyalty. The prospect of a new populist movement to compete with the Liberal Party has come up in conversations surrounding Hastie inside the Liberals.