The Liberal-National Coalition, Australia’s primary opposition political party, has officially fractured after nearly eight decades of collaboration.
This development signifies a profound shift in the nation’s political arena, occurring merely weeks following a federal election in which Labour secured a second term with a decisive victory.
On Tuesday, Nationals leader David Littleproud announced that his party would not be re-entering a coalition agreement. This decision comes in light of ongoing policy disagreements with the Liberal Party, which is currently navigating a process of “rediscovery” after its significant electoral defeat.
Littleproud remarked that the Coalition has experienced both fractures and repairs in the past, expressing hope that, given time, the parties might find a way to reconcile once more.
The Liberal Party, holding the second largest number of seats in parliament, will continue to serve as the formal opposition party, now asserting its position independently. The Nationals will refrain from taking on any opposition roles.
“While we hold great respect for David Littleproud and his team, it is disappointing that the National Party has chosen to exit the Coalition,” newly elected Liberal leader Sussan Ley stated shortly after the unexpected announcement.
Ley stated that the Coalition’s founding principle has historically been centred around “shared values.” However, she noted that the Nationals have declined to endorse an agreement unless there are assurances regarding “specific policies.”
The division arises following several days of discussions between the two parties regarding their future after the election. Littleproud’s party, which
primarily advocates for regional communities and tends to adopt a more conservative stance than the Liberals, was unable to secure an agreement with its longstanding political partner.
The relationship between the parties has been notably strained by a pivotal issue: climate and energy. Within the National Party, there remains a faction that opposes net-zero emissions goals, clinging to a controversial nuclear power proposal that became a focal point during the election.
Littleproud highlighted regional infrastructure spending and initiatives aimed at enhancing supermarket competition as areas of contention.
Characterizing it as “one of the hardest political decisions of his life,” Littleproud revealed that he had a “respectful conversation” with Ley on Tuesday morning to discuss the split.
“This statement emphasizes the importance of taking a moment to reflect and communicate to the Australian public that this is a period for improvement and a chance to prioritize their needs.”
“I assured [Ley] of my dedication to collaborating with her daily in an effort to restore our relationship to a level where we can rejoin a coalition ahead of the upcoming election.”
He stated that the National Party would run independently in the upcoming election if a unified front could not be established.
The partnership between the Liberal and National parties, originating in the 1940s, has experienced multiple breakdowns and re-establishments throughout the years. The Coalition last experienced a split nearly four decades ago, in 1987.
The Liberal-National Coalition faced significant losses in the recent election, with 14 out of 15 electorates lost being previously held by the Liberals. This outcome reflects substantial swings against the party across the country.
Support for the Liberals has significantly declined in more moderate regions, especially in urban centres. Analysts attribute this downturn primarily to the polarizing nature of then-leader Peter Dutton and the adoption of specific policies reminiscent of those associated with Donald Trump. Ley, who has taken over as leader, has pledged to steer the party back towards the centre-right position.
