Speaking to GB News at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) Conference in London, Hastie warned that the world is at risk of "breaking down into tribes" as a result of identity politics.
Australia's Shadow Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie warned that the West has seen the 'collapse of the social and moral consensus of the 20th century'
Australia's Shadow Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie has warned of "social collapse", claiming that the world is at risk of "breaking down into tribes" as a result of identity politics.
Speaking to GB News at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) Conference in London, he warned that "divided" countries will find it much harder to protect themselves against "authoritarian threats".
He said: "What we've seen over the last 30 years or so is the collapse of the social and moral consensus of the 20th century.
"And what we've seen is the rise of identity politics, cancel culture, and we're breaking down into tribes."
He added: "Authoritarian powers like Russia and China and Iran are on the move, and they have supporting actors like Hamas and others doing all sorts of terrible things around the globe.
"But the challenge for us is if we're divided as countries, it's very hard to meet those authoritarian threats.
"It's very hard to come up with grand strategy if we can't even agree on the definition of a man and a woman.
"And that's why it is a civilizational moment. I've said we're in epistemological freefall.
"We don't even know what we believe anymore, and we need to arrest that freefall.
"We need to come back to the certainties which have guided the past and which will guide us in the future."
The right wing politician said "good political leaders" need to be "led by common sense", accusing the left of pursuing "top down solutions".
He told GB News: "I think good political leaders need to focus on timeless, enduring wisdom.
"They need to be led by common sense, They need to be good listeners and they need to exercise the ancient virtues of prudence and wisdom in their decision making.
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"Prudence means that you move cautiously, you have a bold vision, but you make sure that you're gathering as much support, you're moving with the people and you're being an effective leader.
"And a lot of the left frankly, they love top-down solutions."
