Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has sent an ominous message to his 'enemies' after he sensationally quit the Opposition frontbench over its immigration strategy.
The short email was addressed to those subscribed to the Western Australian politician's e-newsletter on Friday night.
It was the first sitting week since Hastie announced his shock resignation from the frontbench after being told he would not lead the Coalition's migration policy.
'This week has been a big one,' the MP began.
'Many people have had their say about my resignation from the front bench.
'I've watched closely as our enemies have unmasked their guns. But silence has been prudent.
'To quote the great British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli: 'Though I sit down, the time will come when you will hear me'.
'Thanks for standing with me. Let me know what you're thinking.'
An email sent by Hastie to his supporters on Friday night made note of his 'enemies'.
Hastie quit as a Liberal frontbencher over his limited influence on migration policy.
Hastie's resignation came after it was made clear that immigration policy would be led by Senator Paul Scarr, not Hastie, despite the issue being central to his portfolio.
'Immigration is the responsibility of Home Affairs,' Hastie said last week.
'When it was made clear that I wouldn't have any leadership in that role, I thought it was time for me to depart.'
He insisted the move was not a challenge to Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, saying, 'There's no challenge to Sussan; I support Sussan'.
Hastie's e-newsletter comes after Senator Paul Scarr, who leads the Coalition's immigration policy, issued a thinly veiled rebuke to Hastie and Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, warning against inflammatory rhetoric.
Speaking at the Migration Institute of Australia's conference on Friday, Scarr said immigration policy must be based on 'evidence and facts' and cautioned against creating a vacuum that could be filled by 'extreme fringe elements'.
Without naming names, he drew a parallel to British MP Enoch Powell's infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech, calling instead for a more respectful national conversation.
Hastie previously declared Australians felt like 'strangers in our own home', a remark that drew sharp criticism from Independent MP Allegra Spender.
Hastie and Senator Price have both denied plans to challenge leader Sussan Ley.
'Andrew Hastie used words that echoed those of Enoch Powell,' Spender said.
'Falsehoods or sly innuendo in this debate can damage the country we all hold dear.'
Supporters of Hastie were quick to defend him, pointing out that UK Labour leader Keir Starmer had used similar language when he described Britain as 'an island of strangers', a comment Starmer later said he regretted.
Senator Price also backed Hastie, saying, 'Concerns about mass migration are not from a fringe movement. They are grassroots issues driven by Canberra's failures'.
Price has also ruled out any challenge to Sussan Ley's leadership, denying claims of a push to unseat her on Wednesday.