Nationals Leader Announces Coalition Split After Mass Frontbench Resignations
Nationals leader David Littleproud has declared his party "cannot be part of a shadow ministry under Sussan Ley" following a dramatic mass walkout of the entire Nationals frontbench on Wednesday. The political rupture stems from deep divisions over proposed hate speech legislation drafted in the wake of the Bondi massacre.
Frontbench Exodus Triggered by Hate Speech Law Stance
The crisis erupted after Liberal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley accepted the resignations of three Nationals shadow ministers – Senators Ross Cadell, Bridget McKenzie, and Susan McDonald. The trio had crossed the floor to oppose the hate speech laws, adopting a position that directly conflicted with the Liberals and the agreed shadow cabinet line.
Littleproud revealed he had explicitly warned Ley that accepting those resignations would trigger the departure of the entire Nationals frontbench. "She was aware of the consequences if she did that," Littleproud stated during a tense press conference on Thursday morning. "The National party were being forced into an untenable position, and she still made that decision."
Ley's Pleas to Reconsider Fall on Deaf Ears
In a late-night intervention on Wednesday, Ley urged Littleproud and his ministers to reconsider, describing eight additional resignations submitted after crisis talks as unnecessary. She implored the Nationals leader "not to walk away from the Coalition."
However, Littleproud was resolute. When questioned if this was merely a negotiating tactic, he responded bluntly: "No, it's done, I spoke to Sussan Ley half an hour ago." He emphasised that the Nationals were not offering resignations for Ley to accept or reject, but were definitively tendering them.
Leadership Blame and a Call for Mourning
While holding Ley responsible for mismanaging the process, Littleproud also pointed a finger at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for creating the political dilemma. "This process wasn't all Sussan Ley's fault. Anthony Albanese put her in this process," he contended.
In a statement released shortly after Littleproud's press conference, Ley shifted focus to the national day of mourning for the Bondi terror attack victims. "This is a national day of mourning and my responsibility as leader of the opposition and leader of the Liberal party is to Australians in mourning," she stated, attempting to steer attention away from the internal crisis.
History of Coalition Fragility
This is not the first fracture in the Coalition since the May election. The partnership previously splintered briefly when the Nationals attempted to pressure Ley into adopting specific policy platforms, including nuclear policy, a regional future fund, and powers to dismantle supermarket giants. That rift was healed within a week after leaders returned to negotiations.
The current schism, however, appears more profound, rooted in a fundamental policy disagreement on hate speech laws that has exposed the untenable nature of their alliance, according to Littleproud. The Nationals leader insisted his party had engaged in "good faith" but could no longer maintain the shadow ministry arrangement.
