Coalition Back Together After Nationals Walkout

Epoch Times

5 days ago

The federal Coalition has officially reunited just over a week after a dramatic split threatened to upend decades of political partnership between the Liberal and National parties.
The reconciliation follows a key meeting held by the Liberal Party on May 23 to finalise a proposal aimed at restoring the fractured alliance.
The Nationals responded with their own meeting this morning, ultimately agreeing to resume the Coalition partnership, clearing the path for Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to unveil a new shadow cabinet as early as May 28.
Tensions peaked on May 20 when Nationals leader David Littleproud declared the end of the Coalition agreement, citing unresolved concerns over four core policies: nuclear power, supermarket reform, regional funding, and rural telecommunications.
The Liberals, still grappling with their worst electoral performance in recent history, initially hesitated to commit and proposed a comprehensive policy review.
However, after several days of negotiations and internal turmoil, the Liberals agreed 'in principle' to the Nationals' demands, leading Littleproud to call off the standoff.
Common Ground in Sight
Despite the friction, signs of reconciliation emerged within a few days.
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Speaking to reporters, Littleproud struck an optimistic tone.
'Of course, there is [a chance of reuniting],' he said.
He described Ley's move to convene a party room meeting on the Nationals' proposals as 'a positive step forward.'
'I thank her for that. And as a consequence, I have decided to send those spokespeople home as a sign of good faith. And Sussan, as a sign of good faith, will not be announcing a shadow cabinet,' he added.
Ley, Abbott Weigh In
Ley welcomed the Nationals' shift towards compromise, stating, 'This morning, David Littleproud has made a public statement that the Nationals are willing to accept shadow cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition agreement.'
'Earlier today, I wrote to and met with David, inviting him to re-enter good faith negotiations. I am pleased he has accepted,' she said.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott had warned against a permanent split, saying, 'If the Libs and the Nats go their separate ways, we won't have one strong opposition, we will have two opposition parties that are fighting each other as much as they are fighting a bad government.'
The split marked only the third time in the Liberal-National Coalition's history that the parties have gone their separate ways at a national level. The states have different circumstances.
Formed during the World War II in 1944, the Coalition arrangement has long brought together the urban-based Liberal Party and the regional-based Nationals, then called the Country Party.