The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, has declared the federal Coalition 'untenable' and blamed the Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, for this week's damaging split over hate speech laws. Three Nationals shadow ministers resigned on Wednesday, followed by the entire party frontbench, ending decades of partnership. Littleproud confirmed the Nationals will sit separately from the Liberals when parliament resumes.
Liberal MPs, speaking anonymously, said Ley's position is badly weakened and a challenge by Angus Taylor or Andrew Hastie could come as early as February. One MP described her position as 'extremely difficult going forward'. Former Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull said the infighting made the Coalition 'more unelectable than they were before', calling it 'smouldering wreckage'.
The crisis began when Ley accepted the resignations of Nationals senators Ross Cadell, Bridget McKenzie, and Susan McDonald after they crossed the floor to oppose hate speech laws drafted after the Bondi massacre. Littleproud said the National party was 'forced into an untenable position' and accused Ley of mismanagement. He stated, 'She was aware of the consequences if she did that.'
Ley urged Littleproud to reconsider on Wednesday night, insisting the additional resignations were unnecessary. She called for focus to remain on the national day of mourning for the Bondi terror attack. Nationals MP Anne Webster said the timing of the announcement was deliberate to avoid clashing with the minute of silence.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers claimed Ley was on 'borrowed time', describing the Coalition as 'divided, divisive, dysfunctional'. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, now with One Nation, slammed Littleproud's handling as 'totally and utterly chaotic'.
