Libs agree 'in principle' to Nats demands

Australia Broadcast Center

23-05-2025

Samantha Donovan: There's been another development in the rift between the federal Liberal and National parties this afternoon. In an online meeting, the Liberals have agreed in principle to four key policy demands from the Nationals. That breakthrough could clear the way for a new coalition agreement between the two sides. ABC political reporter Evelyn Manfield is in Parliament House in Canberra. Evelyn, what can you tell us about what happened in this meeting?
Evelyn Manfield: Sam, the Liberal Party has agreed in principle to the four key policy demands from the Nationals. This is of course part of an effort to bring the coalition back together after what's been a very dramatic week that's played out very publicly, not just here in Canberra, but right across television screens across the country. So the four key policy demands that they've agreed to in principle are this idea to lift the moratorium on nuclear power, divestiture powers to be able to break up the big supermarkets if they abuse their market power, a major regional fund to help with things like infrastructure, and then universal phone coverage and access right across the regions. So what's happened is Susan Lee has gone back to her party today. They've given that support. What triggered this of course was yesterday the Nationals leader David Littleproud insisting that the Nationals would provide solidarity in terms of the shadow cabinet, which is what Sussan Ley had been really wanting that sort of solid agreement on.
Samantha Donovan: I haven't seen any formal announcements about the outcome of this meeting and it's been a national online hook-up. Do you know if any of the four policy issues are proving more difficult for the Liberals to back?
Evelyn Manfield: Yeah, we certainly haven't seen anyone stand up and speak or anything like that, as you say. But look, what we are hearing from at least one source so far is that there are still negotiations to go. So they've reached this in principle agreement, but particularly around supermarket divestiture powers and the $20 billion regional future fund, there is still more to be discussed. The future fund is really interesting because we were actually hearing from former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull this morning on an ABC podcast. He was raising concerns about the expense of $20 billion. He's saying, you know, when we would end up back in government or in three years time, you just don't know what sort of position the budget's going to be in. Also worth mentioning, nuclear, as I mentioned before, we understand the commitment now is to lift the moratorium on nuclear power. So very different than what was promised during the election, which of course was to build seven publicly funded power plants.
Samantha Donovan: So a bit of work still to be done. What happens now in terms of talks between the two sides to resume the coalition partnership?
Evelyn Manfield: So Sussan Ley, the Liberal leader, will go back to her Nationals counterpart, David Littleproud. They will have further discussions. But this is certainly a step forward towards trying to get the coalition back together. And as you said, the demands from the Nationals in terms of those four key policies have now be met in principle and the Liberals are happy that they've got that agreement around shadow cabinet solidarity.
Samantha Donovan: And has there been any reaction to the Liberal Party's decision yet to back those four policies, at least in principle?
Evelyn Manfield: Pretty limited reaction so far. We have had Nationals Senator Matt Canavan post on social media calling it a back down from the Liberals and saying well done to his leader, David Littleproud. We have also heard from Michael McCormack, who's just spoken to the ABC, of course, a former Nationals leader as well, but still current MP.
Michael McCormack: The opposition should be should be very much for those four policy areas. But we're also not in government. So you can't really enact the sorts of things that you'd like to from opposition. So what we need to do is we need to be united. We need to be strong. We need to have good policies out there to restore the faith of people that they obviously didn't have on May 3rd.
Samantha Donovan: Michael McCormack is the former leader of the National Party, and I was speaking to ABC political reporter Evelyn Manfield in Parliament House in Canberra.