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Sky News AU
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘I don't care if I lose my job': Nationals leader David Littleproud unfazed by rumours of Nationals' leadership plot
Nationals leader David Littleproud has declared he is 'pretty relaxed' about speculation that members of his own party may be working to oust him. Amid the fallout from the Liberals and Nationals weeklong split, speculation has arisen that members of Mr Littleproud's party were plotting against him. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley reached out to National MPs who opposed the decision to temporarily abandon the Coalition, sparking rumours about a leadership coup. Despite this, Mr Littleproud told Sky News Sunday Agenda he didn't know if former leaders Barnaby Joyce or Michael McCormack were plotting to replace him. Nationals leader David Littleproud has declared he is 'pretty relaxed' about speculation that members of his own party may be working to oust him. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman 'Well, I don't know, mate, but I'm pretty relaxed. Since I've been leader, I've been prepared to take the tough decisions,' he said. 'To make the decision on the Voice, on divestiture, on nuclear, on the (Regional Australia Future Fund). I led a party that backed those decisions.' His comments come after an extraordinary week in conservative politics, during which the Nationals temporarily withdrew from Coalition negotiations. The break was triggered by what Mr Littleproud described as a failure by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to guarantee support for four key policy demands. Those demands included powers to break up supermarkets, lifting the moratorium on nuclear power and creating a $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund. Some prominent Nationals members including former leaders Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack have criticised how Mr Littleproud handled the situation. However, Mr Littleproud said the decision to walk away was made collectively by his party room, and that he was simply acting on their direction. The Coalition has since agreed 'in principle' to all four of the Nationals' policy demands. 'The fact that we got an outcome in two or three days because of the principles over politics—the men and women of my party room stood up,' he said. 'I'm proud of them. I'm proud of the fact the vast majority (backed me)… If I have to lose my job for it, I don't care.' Mr Littleproud rejected claims that the Nationals had walked out over internal power dynamics or cabinet solidarity, saying the dispute was 'a red herring'. 'We didn't blink. The National Party didn't blink. We made it very clear these were important to us. This was a principled decision,' he said.
Sky News AU
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Sky News reveals policy paper behind National Party return to Coalition amid internal tensions and leadership rumours
The Liberal Party has formally endorsed a suite of policy concessions demanded by the Nationals in a dramatic attempt to repair the fractured Coalition. Sky News has obtained the document, presented to and agreed to 'in principle' by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and the Liberal Party. These include lifting the nuclear energy moratorium, supermarkets divestiture powers, universal service obligations for regional telecommunications, and a $20 billion regional future fund. The policy paper states: 'The Coalition commits to removing the moratorium on nuclear energy, at a minimum, with a review of the remaining elements of the Nuclear policy. 'The Coalition commits to the $20 Billion Regional Australia Future Fund. The fund will be provided with $5 billion in seed capital. 'The Coalition commits to introducing court-ordered divestiture powers for supermarkets and hardware stores as a last resort and with a clear public interest test enshrined in legislation.' Nationals leader David Littleproud had walked away from the longstanding alliance earlier in the week, demanding commitments from the Liberals on four key policy areas. There has been ongoing internal unease as Liberal Party members have expressed concerns about the manner in which the policy shift occurred. Sky News understands Senators Andrew Bragg and Paul Scarr questioned the process, arguing that the Nationals were dictating policy outside the usual shadow cabinet framework. Senator Jane Hume also raised concerns, warning that lifting the moratorium on nuclear energy without nominating sites could open the door for Labor to revive scare campaigns. Behind closed doors, the power struggle within the Coalition extended beyond policy. There has been rumours that Ms Ley or her emissaries may have floated the idea of having Nationals leader David Littleproud challenged to break the deadlock. While former Nationals leader Michael McCormack acknowledged speaking with Ms Ley during the standoff, he denied that the conversations were about leadership. Instead, he said he relayed the intensity of feeling within the Nationals party room—describing it as 'do or die' on their policy demands. He also stressed the need for patience before publicly announcing a shadow cabinet, in order to ensure Coalition negotiations could continue in good faith. Nationals MP Darren Chester also dismissed speculation of leadership moves and denied having spoken to Ms Ley. He denied having had any conversation with Ms Ley or her ally, Alex Hawke, or anyone else about the leadership of Mr Littleproud. Despite the drama, the Coalition appears to be edging back toward unity. Ms Ley was authorised by the Liberal party room to take the agreed policy position back to Mr Littleproud and finalise further negotiations. Outstanding issues such as frontbench appointments and committee roles are still to be resolved. Mr Littleproud has planned to tour drought-affected areas next week, as he looks to reassert his leadership and refocus attention on regional issues.
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
New Liberal leader Sussan Ley likely to delay shadow cabinet announcement amid Coalition talks
New Liberal leader Sussan Ley has delayed the unveiling of her Shadow Cabinet following the start-stop split of the Coalition, with the announcement now unlikely before next week. After Nationals' leader David Littleproud dropped a break-up bombshell on Tuesday before returning to the negotiating table 48 hours later, the Liberals will meet to consider their four key policy demands. Ms Ley's all-Liberal ministry had been just 'hours away' from being announced when the pair initiated peace talks on Thursday, a move party sources say will delay her frontbench decision. She had texted Mr Littleproud as he was sorting his own 'shadow' portfolios offering an olive branch 'to re-enter good faith negotiations' after hearing him commit to Shadow Cabinet solidarity while on breakfast TV. Ms Ley claimed it was the first time Mr Littleproud had publicly started to toe the party line after stating that breaching Shadow Cabinet solidarity was a requirement. Mr Littleproud did admit on Thursday it was mentioned but insisted it wasn't a reason for the breaking point. Once they met Ms Ley made her own concession to reconvene her party room late on Thursday evening to consider the four key policies. Mr Littleproud's demands which led to the party's withdrawal of the 38-year partnership, included nuclear energy, supermarket divestiture laws, $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund and rural telecommunications obligations. If the parties resolve issues and reunify, Nationals could regain key roles and pay, while some Liberals may lose out on potential new portfolios. Under the previous plan, Canning MP Andrew Hastie was not expected to receive a defence-related portfolio, which is the former SAS soldier's only experience in ministerial and shadow cabinet roles. After serving as defence assistant minister between 2020-2022 under Scott Morrison's Government, he became shadow defence minister under former Opposition leader Peter Dutton. It's understood he had been seeking to take on a new portfolio to broaden his experience. Political analyst Professor Martin Drum said Mr Hastie would likely be seeking to broaden away from getting 'pigeonholed' in defence roles. He noted Mr Hastie would be wise to compete for a sought after economic portfolio if he has leadership ambitions in the future. 'He has said openly that he would aspire to leadership in the future. In order to do that, he's got to demonstrate he's got experience across the board,' Professor Drum said. 'So he can, and should seek a portfolio change. Usually, some economic experience is very well regarded and plays well. 'That might be competitive, but he certainly should be looking for another substantive portfolio.' 'Could be education, could be health. It could be something along those lines, which gives you a profile and an opportunity to really demonstrate his credentials. 'The other thing about Andrew Hastie is his professional background is defence too. So that could compound the issue.' While Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is tipped to lose her DOGE-like 'government effectiveness' portfolio in favour of a more 'optimistic and more positive'. Depending on the outcome of Friday's 1pm Liberal Party policy meeting, Ms Ley will brief colleagues on 'what the path forward is' and meet with the Nationals to discuss the Coalition agreement before finalising the Shadow Cabinet. During the two-day break, Ms Ley had been conducting her own outreach, including calls to former leaders Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce, as well as Darren Chester, all of whom had voiced opposition to a split, Mr Littleproud's judgement has been questioned with Mr McCormack describing his leadership as 'messy' and casting doubt over his long-term support within the party. Mr McCormack said he was 'I'm ambitious for him' when asked whether he fully supported the leader going forward. Former Liberal PM Malcolm Turnbull slammed the Nationals as 'stupid' for 'holding a gun to the Liberal Party's head,' warning their demands risk damaging the Coalition's future.
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
'Not clearly thought through': Joyce roasts Nats leaders over Coalition separation
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has called for a return to "stability" as his party navigates a potential path back to forming the alternative government with the Liberal Party, days after its shock decision to exit the Coalition. "Your duty to your nation is to have a competent opposition, to hold the government to account," Mr Joyce told The Canberra Times. "You can't do that if you're all over the shop." Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley on Thursday paused the announcement of their respective frontbenches, after agreeing to restart negotiations. Ms Ley said she had done so after Mr Littleproud confirmed the Nationals were willing to "accept shadow cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition agreement", meaning that both parties would formally commit to agreeing on policies and voting together in Parliament. "This is the first time this commitment has been made and I welcome it as a foundation to resolve other matters," she said. "It has always been the Liberal Party's objective to form a Coalition, and we welcome The Nationals' decision to re-enter negotiations." The leaders will aim to reach agreement in time to appoint an opposition shadow ministry before Parliament opens in late July. Mr Littleproud has blamed the Coalition split on the Liberal Party leader's refusal to commit to retaining four key policies: nuclear energy, divestiture laws to break up the big supermarkets, better telecommunications services for the regions and the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund. He told reporters in Canberra on Thursday that he had agreed to return to the negotiating table after Ms Ley said she would "reconvene her party room to discuss the four policy areas that the National Party demand as part of a Coalition agreement." "This is a positive step forward, one which we've always said would be productive and constructive." Ms Ley said: "In relation to the policy positions proposed by the National Party Room, consistent with my consultation commitment, the Liberal Party will consider these, utilising our party room processes." Mr Littleproud said his party had "acted in good faith", after blowing up the Coalition for the fourth time in a century and the first since the 1980s. Mr Joyce, who opposed Mr Littleproud's decision not to sign a post-election federal Coalition agreement -announced on Tuesday after gaining majority party room support - said he wanted the party to move forward. "Stability is the first attribute of a conservative government. It's what people want ... And that's not conveying stability," he said. "I just want us to be effective, cogent and stable." He said there were "a lot of things that weren't clearly thought through" in the decision to split from the Liberals, which Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan on Tuesday likened to a temporary relationship break aimed at achieving "more clarity and more focus". "It's an oxymoronic turn to say we'll have an amicable separation," Mr Joyce said. Mr Joyce dismissed the idea that Liberal Party's electoral wipeout meant the party would have to shift its policies away from those popular with Nationals voters. "I don't [agree that] every person in the city is a raving teal," Mr Joyce said. "Hearts are marvellous things, but when the money starts flying out of the wallet, they have different views." He said the Albanese government's controversial plan to tax unrealised capital gains on superannuation balances of $3 million or more, without indexation, was an example of policy that Liberal and National party voters would agree in opposing. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has called for a return to "stability" as his party navigates a potential path back to forming the alternative government with the Liberal Party, days after its shock decision to exit the Coalition. "Your duty to your nation is to have a competent opposition, to hold the government to account," Mr Joyce told The Canberra Times. "You can't do that if you're all over the shop." Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley on Thursday paused the announcement of their respective frontbenches, after agreeing to restart negotiations. Ms Ley said she had done so after Mr Littleproud confirmed the Nationals were willing to "accept shadow cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition agreement", meaning that both parties would formally commit to agreeing on policies and voting together in Parliament. "This is the first time this commitment has been made and I welcome it as a foundation to resolve other matters," she said. "It has always been the Liberal Party's objective to form a Coalition, and we welcome The Nationals' decision to re-enter negotiations." The leaders will aim to reach agreement in time to appoint an opposition shadow ministry before Parliament opens in late July. Mr Littleproud has blamed the Coalition split on the Liberal Party leader's refusal to commit to retaining four key policies: nuclear energy, divestiture laws to break up the big supermarkets, better telecommunications services for the regions and the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund. He told reporters in Canberra on Thursday that he had agreed to return to the negotiating table after Ms Ley said she would "reconvene her party room to discuss the four policy areas that the National Party demand as part of a Coalition agreement." "This is a positive step forward, one which we've always said would be productive and constructive." Ms Ley said: "In relation to the policy positions proposed by the National Party Room, consistent with my consultation commitment, the Liberal Party will consider these, utilising our party room processes." Mr Littleproud said his party had "acted in good faith", after blowing up the Coalition for the fourth time in a century and the first since the 1980s. Mr Joyce, who opposed Mr Littleproud's decision not to sign a post-election federal Coalition agreement -announced on Tuesday after gaining majority party room support - said he wanted the party to move forward. "Stability is the first attribute of a conservative government. It's what people want ... And that's not conveying stability," he said. "I just want us to be effective, cogent and stable." He said there were "a lot of things that weren't clearly thought through" in the decision to split from the Liberals, which Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan on Tuesday likened to a temporary relationship break aimed at achieving "more clarity and more focus". "It's an oxymoronic turn to say we'll have an amicable separation," Mr Joyce said. Mr Joyce dismissed the idea that Liberal Party's electoral wipeout meant the party would have to shift its policies away from those popular with Nationals voters. "I don't [agree that] every person in the city is a raving teal," Mr Joyce said. "Hearts are marvellous things, but when the money starts flying out of the wallet, they have different views." He said the Albanese government's controversial plan to tax unrealised capital gains on superannuation balances of $3 million or more, without indexation, was an example of policy that Liberal and National party voters would agree in opposing. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has called for a return to "stability" as his party navigates a potential path back to forming the alternative government with the Liberal Party, days after its shock decision to exit the Coalition. "Your duty to your nation is to have a competent opposition, to hold the government to account," Mr Joyce told The Canberra Times. "You can't do that if you're all over the shop." Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley on Thursday paused the announcement of their respective frontbenches, after agreeing to restart negotiations. Ms Ley said she had done so after Mr Littleproud confirmed the Nationals were willing to "accept shadow cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition agreement", meaning that both parties would formally commit to agreeing on policies and voting together in Parliament. "This is the first time this commitment has been made and I welcome it as a foundation to resolve other matters," she said. "It has always been the Liberal Party's objective to form a Coalition, and we welcome The Nationals' decision to re-enter negotiations." The leaders will aim to reach agreement in time to appoint an opposition shadow ministry before Parliament opens in late July. Mr Littleproud has blamed the Coalition split on the Liberal Party leader's refusal to commit to retaining four key policies: nuclear energy, divestiture laws to break up the big supermarkets, better telecommunications services for the regions and the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund. He told reporters in Canberra on Thursday that he had agreed to return to the negotiating table after Ms Ley said she would "reconvene her party room to discuss the four policy areas that the National Party demand as part of a Coalition agreement." "This is a positive step forward, one which we've always said would be productive and constructive." Ms Ley said: "In relation to the policy positions proposed by the National Party Room, consistent with my consultation commitment, the Liberal Party will consider these, utilising our party room processes." Mr Littleproud said his party had "acted in good faith", after blowing up the Coalition for the fourth time in a century and the first since the 1980s. Mr Joyce, who opposed Mr Littleproud's decision not to sign a post-election federal Coalition agreement -announced on Tuesday after gaining majority party room support - said he wanted the party to move forward. "Stability is the first attribute of a conservative government. It's what people want ... And that's not conveying stability," he said. "I just want us to be effective, cogent and stable." He said there were "a lot of things that weren't clearly thought through" in the decision to split from the Liberals, which Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan on Tuesday likened to a temporary relationship break aimed at achieving "more clarity and more focus". "It's an oxymoronic turn to say we'll have an amicable separation," Mr Joyce said. Mr Joyce dismissed the idea that Liberal Party's electoral wipeout meant the party would have to shift its policies away from those popular with Nationals voters. "I don't [agree that] every person in the city is a raving teal," Mr Joyce said. "Hearts are marvellous things, but when the money starts flying out of the wallet, they have different views." He said the Albanese government's controversial plan to tax unrealised capital gains on superannuation balances of $3 million or more, without indexation, was an example of policy that Liberal and National party voters would agree in opposing. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has called for a return to "stability" as his party navigates a potential path back to forming the alternative government with the Liberal Party, days after its shock decision to exit the Coalition. "Your duty to your nation is to have a competent opposition, to hold the government to account," Mr Joyce told The Canberra Times. "You can't do that if you're all over the shop." Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley on Thursday paused the announcement of their respective frontbenches, after agreeing to restart negotiations. Ms Ley said she had done so after Mr Littleproud confirmed the Nationals were willing to "accept shadow cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition agreement", meaning that both parties would formally commit to agreeing on policies and voting together in Parliament. "This is the first time this commitment has been made and I welcome it as a foundation to resolve other matters," she said. "It has always been the Liberal Party's objective to form a Coalition, and we welcome The Nationals' decision to re-enter negotiations." The leaders will aim to reach agreement in time to appoint an opposition shadow ministry before Parliament opens in late July. Mr Littleproud has blamed the Coalition split on the Liberal Party leader's refusal to commit to retaining four key policies: nuclear energy, divestiture laws to break up the big supermarkets, better telecommunications services for the regions and the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund. He told reporters in Canberra on Thursday that he had agreed to return to the negotiating table after Ms Ley said she would "reconvene her party room to discuss the four policy areas that the National Party demand as part of a Coalition agreement." "This is a positive step forward, one which we've always said would be productive and constructive." Ms Ley said: "In relation to the policy positions proposed by the National Party Room, consistent with my consultation commitment, the Liberal Party will consider these, utilising our party room processes." Mr Littleproud said his party had "acted in good faith", after blowing up the Coalition for the fourth time in a century and the first since the 1980s. Mr Joyce, who opposed Mr Littleproud's decision not to sign a post-election federal Coalition agreement -announced on Tuesday after gaining majority party room support - said he wanted the party to move forward. "Stability is the first attribute of a conservative government. It's what people want ... And that's not conveying stability," he said. "I just want us to be effective, cogent and stable." He said there were "a lot of things that weren't clearly thought through" in the decision to split from the Liberals, which Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan on Tuesday likened to a temporary relationship break aimed at achieving "more clarity and more focus". "It's an oxymoronic turn to say we'll have an amicable separation," Mr Joyce said. Mr Joyce dismissed the idea that Liberal Party's electoral wipeout meant the party would have to shift its policies away from those popular with Nationals voters. "I don't [agree that] every person in the city is a raving teal," Mr Joyce said. "Hearts are marvellous things, but when the money starts flying out of the wallet, they have different views." He said the Albanese government's controversial plan to tax unrealised capital gains on superannuation balances of $3 million or more, without indexation, was an example of policy that Liberal and National party voters would agree in opposing.
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Littleproud extends olive branch to Ley in 'positive step' for Coalition
Nationals leader David Littleproud has signalled a possible resolution to his party's split with the Liberal Party, two days after announcing that he would not sign a post-election federal Coalition agreement. "I had a brief meeting with [Opposition Leader] Sussan Ley, and she made an offer to reconvene her party room to discuss the four policy areas that the National Party demand as part of a Coalition agreement," Mr Littleproud told reporters in Canberra on Thursday morning. "This is a positive step forward, one which we've always said would be productive and constructive." Ms Ley said in a statement that she had paused the announcement of her shadow ministry after Mr Littleproud confirmed the Nationals were willing to "accept Shadow Cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition Agreement", meaning that both parties would vote together in Parliament. "This is the first time this commitment has been made and I welcome it as a foundation to resolve other matters," she said. "In relation to the policy positions proposed by the National Party Room, consistent with my consultation commitment, the Liberal Party will consider these, utilising our party room processes. "It has always been the Liberal Party's objective to form a Coalition and we welcome The Nationals' decision to re-enter negotiations." Mr Littleproud has blamed the Coalition split on the Liberal Party leader's refusal to commit to retaining four key policies: nuclear energy, divestiture laws to break up the big supermarkets, better telecommunications services for the regions and the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund. Ms Ley, who has promised a wide-ranging review of all policies taken to the election, had asked Mr Littleproud to respect her party's processes. The Opposition Leader is mourning the death of her mother Angela Braybrooks, who died in Albury early on Saturday morning, just four days after her daughter became the first female Liberal Party leader. The two leaders met in Ms Ley's office in Parliament House at her invitation, after she convened the Liberal Party leadership group on Thursday morning. Mr Littleproud said his party had "acted in good faith", after blowing up the Coalition for the fourth time this has happened in a century and the first since the 1980s. "We'll allow this process to take place, and the Liberal Party to convene at whatever period is convenient for them, and I think that is the way forward, in a mature and sensible way." He said he had sent home those Nationals MPs and Senators who he had been about to announce as the party's policy spokespeople after his party room met in Canberra. "I'm proud of the fact that our guys are prepared to accept that in being sent home today, despite the fact that I was about to announce to you all this afternoon our shadow spokespeople, because I think this is a far more important development." Nationals leader David Littleproud has signalled a possible resolution to his party's split with the Liberal Party, two days after announcing that he would not sign a post-election federal Coalition agreement. "I had a brief meeting with [Opposition Leader] Sussan Ley, and she made an offer to reconvene her party room to discuss the four policy areas that the National Party demand as part of a Coalition agreement," Mr Littleproud told reporters in Canberra on Thursday morning. "This is a positive step forward, one which we've always said would be productive and constructive." Ms Ley said in a statement that she had paused the announcement of her shadow ministry after Mr Littleproud confirmed the Nationals were willing to "accept Shadow Cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition Agreement", meaning that both parties would vote together in Parliament. "This is the first time this commitment has been made and I welcome it as a foundation to resolve other matters," she said. "In relation to the policy positions proposed by the National Party Room, consistent with my consultation commitment, the Liberal Party will consider these, utilising our party room processes. "It has always been the Liberal Party's objective to form a Coalition and we welcome The Nationals' decision to re-enter negotiations." Mr Littleproud has blamed the Coalition split on the Liberal Party leader's refusal to commit to retaining four key policies: nuclear energy, divestiture laws to break up the big supermarkets, better telecommunications services for the regions and the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund. Ms Ley, who has promised a wide-ranging review of all policies taken to the election, had asked Mr Littleproud to respect her party's processes. The Opposition Leader is mourning the death of her mother Angela Braybrooks, who died in Albury early on Saturday morning, just four days after her daughter became the first female Liberal Party leader. The two leaders met in Ms Ley's office in Parliament House at her invitation, after she convened the Liberal Party leadership group on Thursday morning. Mr Littleproud said his party had "acted in good faith", after blowing up the Coalition for the fourth time this has happened in a century and the first since the 1980s. "We'll allow this process to take place, and the Liberal Party to convene at whatever period is convenient for them, and I think that is the way forward, in a mature and sensible way." He said he had sent home those Nationals MPs and Senators who he had been about to announce as the party's policy spokespeople after his party room met in Canberra. "I'm proud of the fact that our guys are prepared to accept that in being sent home today, despite the fact that I was about to announce to you all this afternoon our shadow spokespeople, because I think this is a far more important development." Nationals leader David Littleproud has signalled a possible resolution to his party's split with the Liberal Party, two days after announcing that he would not sign a post-election federal Coalition agreement. "I had a brief meeting with [Opposition Leader] Sussan Ley, and she made an offer to reconvene her party room to discuss the four policy areas that the National Party demand as part of a Coalition agreement," Mr Littleproud told reporters in Canberra on Thursday morning. "This is a positive step forward, one which we've always said would be productive and constructive." Ms Ley said in a statement that she had paused the announcement of her shadow ministry after Mr Littleproud confirmed the Nationals were willing to "accept Shadow Cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition Agreement", meaning that both parties would vote together in Parliament. "This is the first time this commitment has been made and I welcome it as a foundation to resolve other matters," she said. "In relation to the policy positions proposed by the National Party Room, consistent with my consultation commitment, the Liberal Party will consider these, utilising our party room processes. "It has always been the Liberal Party's objective to form a Coalition and we welcome The Nationals' decision to re-enter negotiations." Mr Littleproud has blamed the Coalition split on the Liberal Party leader's refusal to commit to retaining four key policies: nuclear energy, divestiture laws to break up the big supermarkets, better telecommunications services for the regions and the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund. Ms Ley, who has promised a wide-ranging review of all policies taken to the election, had asked Mr Littleproud to respect her party's processes. The Opposition Leader is mourning the death of her mother Angela Braybrooks, who died in Albury early on Saturday morning, just four days after her daughter became the first female Liberal Party leader. The two leaders met in Ms Ley's office in Parliament House at her invitation, after she convened the Liberal Party leadership group on Thursday morning. Mr Littleproud said his party had "acted in good faith", after blowing up the Coalition for the fourth time this has happened in a century and the first since the 1980s. "We'll allow this process to take place, and the Liberal Party to convene at whatever period is convenient for them, and I think that is the way forward, in a mature and sensible way." He said he had sent home those Nationals MPs and Senators who he had been about to announce as the party's policy spokespeople after his party room met in Canberra. "I'm proud of the fact that our guys are prepared to accept that in being sent home today, despite the fact that I was about to announce to you all this afternoon our shadow spokespeople, because I think this is a far more important development." Nationals leader David Littleproud has signalled a possible resolution to his party's split with the Liberal Party, two days after announcing that he would not sign a post-election federal Coalition agreement. "I had a brief meeting with [Opposition Leader] Sussan Ley, and she made an offer to reconvene her party room to discuss the four policy areas that the National Party demand as part of a Coalition agreement," Mr Littleproud told reporters in Canberra on Thursday morning. "This is a positive step forward, one which we've always said would be productive and constructive." Ms Ley said in a statement that she had paused the announcement of her shadow ministry after Mr Littleproud confirmed the Nationals were willing to "accept Shadow Cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition Agreement", meaning that both parties would vote together in Parliament. "This is the first time this commitment has been made and I welcome it as a foundation to resolve other matters," she said. "In relation to the policy positions proposed by the National Party Room, consistent with my consultation commitment, the Liberal Party will consider these, utilising our party room processes. "It has always been the Liberal Party's objective to form a Coalition and we welcome The Nationals' decision to re-enter negotiations." Mr Littleproud has blamed the Coalition split on the Liberal Party leader's refusal to commit to retaining four key policies: nuclear energy, divestiture laws to break up the big supermarkets, better telecommunications services for the regions and the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund. Ms Ley, who has promised a wide-ranging review of all policies taken to the election, had asked Mr Littleproud to respect her party's processes. The Opposition Leader is mourning the death of her mother Angela Braybrooks, who died in Albury early on Saturday morning, just four days after her daughter became the first female Liberal Party leader. The two leaders met in Ms Ley's office in Parliament House at her invitation, after she convened the Liberal Party leadership group on Thursday morning. Mr Littleproud said his party had "acted in good faith", after blowing up the Coalition for the fourth time this has happened in a century and the first since the 1980s. "We'll allow this process to take place, and the Liberal Party to convene at whatever period is convenient for them, and I think that is the way forward, in a mature and sensible way." He said he had sent home those Nationals MPs and Senators who he had been about to announce as the party's policy spokespeople after his party room met in Canberra. "I'm proud of the fact that our guys are prepared to accept that in being sent home today, despite the fact that I was about to announce to you all this afternoon our shadow spokespeople, because I think this is a far more important development."
