Nationals MP Turns to Public in Coalition Crisis as Leadership Deadline Looms
The Coalition appears to be descending into such profound chaos that one Nationals MP is now soliciting public advice on whether the alliance should support Sussan Ley as Liberal leader and if it should even reform at all. As Australia's politicians gradually returned to Canberra over the weekend, Member for Mallee Anne Webster took the unconventional step of emailing a brief SurveyMonkey form to her supporters, seeking their direct input on the political impasse.
A Thirty-Second Survey on the Coalition's Fate
The anonymous questionnaire presented participants with a single, critical question: What's the right path for the Nationals from here? Respondents were asked to select one of three possible answers. The options laid out a stark choice for the party's future direction: return to the Coalition with Sussan Ley as Leader of the Liberal Party, return to the Coalition only if or when the Liberal Party chooses a new leader, or remain separate for a period of time but rejoin before the next federal election.
In an accompanying email, Webster acknowledged the volume of correspondence she had received regarding the Nationals' recent decision to break Coalition ranks. The party notably voted against Labor's post-Bondi attack legislation, a move that has exacerbated existing tensions. 'Thank you for the many emails I've received regarding the stance we as the Nationals took on the recent gun reform and 'hate speech' legislation. We stood against both on principle,' Ms Webster wrote. 'As we return to Canberra, I am reaching out to hear your thoughts about the future of the Coalition.'
Stark Contrast to Public Statements
This direct appeal to constituents stands in stark contrast to comments Webster made publicly on Sky News, where she insisted she would not get involved in the Liberal Party's internal leadership matters. 'I know that the Liberals would take great joy in the Nationals telling them who should lead their party,' she stated during the interview. 'We're not going to do that. That is absolutely forbidden fruit, so to speak. I don't think you'll find a National Party member who's prepared to get into that whirlpool.' The survey, therefore, represents a significant shift in tactics, reflecting the deepening uncertainty within the political alliance.
Leadership Ultimatums and Polling Freefall
Webster's survey follows a dramatic claim by Nationals leader David Littleproud that his party would refuse to rejoin the Coalition unless Sussan Ley was ousted as Liberal leader. Although he later moderated this statement, the alliance remains on exceptionally shaky ground. The Coalition has been in freefall in recent opinion polls, with the latest Newspoll revealing the minor party One Nation had even leapfrogged them into second position for first preference votes.
Adding to the pressure, Ley issued a firm deadline on Friday for the Nationals to decide their future. She stated that the Liberal Leadership Group had agreed that longer-term shadow ministerial arrangements must be finalised. 'It is intended that these acting arrangements cease before the second February sitting week commences, when I appoint a further six parliamentarians to serve in the Shadow Cabinet and two in the outer Shadow Ministry, on an ongoing basis,' Ley declared in a formal statement.
Ministerial Roles in the Balance
Following the Nationals' spectacular en masse departure after the split on post-Bondi legislation voting, Ley has temporarily filled key Opposition shadow ministerial positions previously held by Nationals MPs with members from her own party. She warned that these roles would become permanent from February 9 if the Nationals do not back down and rejoin the Coalition.
Under these interim changes, several high-profile portfolios have been reassigned. Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash will now handle trade, Health Minister Anne Ruston will look after agriculture, and Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan will tackle resources. Furthermore, James McGrath was appointed to infrastructure, Angus Taylor to veterans' affairs, and Angie Bell to water management.
'There is enormous talent in the parliamentary Liberal Party, and my party room is more than capable of permanently fulfilling each and every one of those roles,' Ley asserted, underscoring her willingness to proceed without the Nationals if necessary. This reshuffle highlights the high stakes of the current standoff, with the very structure of the Opposition's frontbench hanging in the balance as the February deadline approaches.
