The Coalition has been thrown into disarray following a dramatic mass resignation by the Nationals from Sussan Ley's shadow cabinet. This bombshell move, triggered by a deep rift over Labor's proposed hate speech laws, has sparked fears for the future of the political alliance.
Nationals Leader and Frontbenchers Resign in Crisis Talks
In a late-night emergency meeting on Wednesday, Nationals leader David Littleproud and several of his frontbench colleagues agreed to step down from their positions. This decision came after Ley accepted the resignations of Nationals senators Ross Cadell, Bridget McKenzie, and Susan McDonald, who had crossed the floor to oppose the hate speech legislation.
Hate Speech Laws Drafted After Bondi Massacre Spark Division
The controversial hate speech laws, drafted in response to the Bondi massacre, have exposed significant tensions within the Coalition. The Nationals' en-masse departure from the shadow cabinet highlights the severity of the split, with the party taking a firm stance against the proposed measures.
This political upheaval threatens to destabilise the Coalition at a critical time, raising questions about its unity and effectiveness in opposing government policies.
Weather Update: Sweltering Heat for Melbourne and Adelaide
In other news, Melbourne and Adelaide are bracing for a scorching 26 January long weekend. As wet weather clears across much of the country, hot summer conditions are set to take over, bringing high temperatures and sunny skies to these major cities.
Stay with us for further updates on this developing political crisis and other breaking news stories.
