Still your Federal Member – Growing A Stronger Future for You

Over the past few days, I’ve heard from many people across Dawson who are understandably confused by headlines stating resignations, splits, and political turmoil in Canberra. Some have even asked whether I’ve resigned as your local member.

Let me be very clear at the outset: I have not resigned.

I remain the Federal Member for Dawson, and I am continuing to work hard every day for the people of our region.

What has happened in Canberra is more nuanced than the headlines suggest, and I want to take the time to explain it clearly and respectfully.

First, a quick clarification about party structures, because this often causes confusion.

In Queensland, the Liberal Party and the National Party operate together as the Liberal National Party (LNP). When Queenslanders vote federally, they vote for an LNP candidate. However, behind the scenes, each electorate is designated as either a Liberal seat or a Nationals seat.

Dawson is a Nationals electorate.

That means that while I run under the LNP banner in Queensland, when I am in Canberra, I sit with The Nationals.

At the federal level, the Nationals and Liberals usually operate together in a formal arrangement known as the Coalition. That arrangement allows both parties to work together while remaining separate parties with their own values and priorities.

Recently, that Coalition arrangement has broken down.

This did not happen lightly, and it did not happen because The Nationals walked away from responsibility. It happened because of a serious disagreement over process, principle, and how important legislation was handled.

The issue at the centre of this was the Government’s Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026.

The Nationals strongly oppose antisemitism and extremism. We support laws that keep Australians safe. But we also believe that laws affecting freedoms, including freedom of speech, must be carefully drafted, properly tested, and thoroughly scrutinised which usually takes weeks, sometimes months.

This was not the case here.

The legislation was rushed through the House of Representatives by Labor. At the time of the vote, the Nationals Party Room was still meeting, still debating, and still working through amendments to address unintended consequences. There simply was not enough time allowed to finalise those amendments before the vote was forced.

Because of that, the Nationals made the decision to abstain in the House, not because we supported the Bill, but because we needed more time to do the job properly and put forward amendments in the Senate.

Those amendments were designed to protect everyday Australians’ rights and freedoms, while still addressing the very real threat of antisemitism and extremism.

When those amendments were later voted down in the Senate, National Party Senators voted against the Bill, in line with a clear and considered Party Room decision.

Mine and The Nationals position did not align with the Liberals position, and therefore I tendered my resignation from the shadow ministry based on my principles and the overwhelming wishes of my constituents.  This was the same for my fellow National shadow ministry colleagues which then enacted a Coalition split. As a result, the Nationals will now sit separately from the Liberals in both chambers of Parliament.

This legislation was one that I felt very strongly on.  I wanted our party to have the opportunity to improve the legislation by putting forward amendments through the senate, but always with the decision in my mind, to give up my role as Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability if those amendments were not successful.  This unfortunately became the case.

However, my resignation was not about walking away from responsibility. I did so because I was not prepared to be part of a process I believed was flawed.

I ask you all to remember that the reason any of this has occurred is due to the Albanese Labor Government’s rushed and pathetic legislation.

Yes, the Opposition wanted to return to parliament early, but not for ill-thought-out legislation that does not address the issues presented and has unintended consequences.

But I want to assure you, I am still here. I am still your representative, your local federal member. 

My focus remains squarely on Dawson; on cost-of-living pressures, regional jobs, infrastructure, and standing up for our communities. I do not need a title to do my job.

Politics can sometimes look messy from the outside, and I understand why people feel frustrated or confused. But at its heart, this was about taking the time to get serious legislation right, protecting Australians’ freedoms, and acting with integrity.

I will always be upfront with you about where I stand and why. My commitment to Dawson has not changed, and it will not waver.

Thank you to everyone who reached out, asked questions, and took the time to seek clarity. That engagement matters, and I’m grateful for it.

ENDS

CAPTIONS

Making Dawson heard in Canberra. Andrew Willcox MP in action in the House of Representatives.

Your local voice in the nation’s capital. Andrew Willcox MP at Parliament House, representing Dawson as the federal member.

Contact: Amanda Wright | Media & Communications Adviser
P | 07 4944 0662   M | 0455 456 705   E | Amanda.Wright@aph.gov.au