US Edition
Inside the Coalition Split: Ley and Littleproud’s Animus Laid Bare
- On May 21, 2025, the Nationals party decided to end the 38-year Coalition agreement with the Liberal Party in Australia.
- The split followed a difficult and non-unanimous decision within the Nationals, driven by disagreements over four key policies including nuclear power and regional funding.
- Liberal leader Sussan Ley expressed disappointment, while Nationals leader David Littleproud defended the split as a principled, unavoidable choice after failed negotiations.
- Ley stated that the Nationals' unwillingness to commit to maintaining confidentiality within the shadow cabinet contributed to the split, but Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie rejected this, insisting the disagreement was purely over policy matters.
- The split creates an opportunity for the Liberal Party to redefine its identity, while ongoing talks aim to resolve differences and find a workable new Coalition agreement.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Ley's leadership gets off to a bruising start
Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley, Nationals leader David Littleproud and Angus Taylor react to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time in the House of Representatives. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP If Sussan Ley and David Littleproud find a way to cohabit, it will be a tense household, says political columnist MICHELLE GRATTAN. Remember that cliche about the Nationals tail wagging the Liberal dog? That tail wagged very vigorously this …
David Littleproud warns against pigeonholing 'country cousins' as Nationals prepare policy free-range
SBS chief political correspondent Anna Henderson spoke to Nationals leader David Littleproud about the separation of the National and Liberal parties, and the non-negotiable policies the party want to embed in a Coalition deal.
Nationals stand firm on four policy demands as Coalition talks resume
Nationals leader David Littleproud has described delays on shadow cabinet announcements as a "sign of good faith" but says he won't back down on the four policy demands he wants included in any Coalition agreement. Follow live.
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Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources lean Left
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