In April 1999, Lawler advocated for improved compensation for disadvantaged people as part of the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, breaking with the stance of his party. In July 1999, he supported Ian Causley against John Anderson for the National Party leadership, part of divisions reportedly over dissatisfaction with the direction of the federal Australia on economic rationalism and globalisation. Along with most other National Party MPs, he supported a "no" vote in the 1999 republic referendum Lawler opposed the full privatisation of Telstra, and was one of several dissident MPs to reject offers from Telstra of luxury Olympic ticket packages lest it be seen to compromise their position. He later supported a plan by former leader Tim Fischer considering the possibility of selling it to fund infrastructure increases in the future if service benchmarks were met first.