Nationals Leader David Littleproud Quits Shadow Cabinet, Sparking Coalition Crisis
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's authority has been dealt a severe blow after Nationals leader David Littleproud and all eight Nationals members of her frontbench resigned from the shadow cabinet. The dramatic mass resignation follows a crisis meeting on Wednesday night and threatens to split the Coalition once again.
Senators Defy Party Solidarity on Hate Speech Bill
The crisis erupted after three Nationals senators - Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald - voted against Labor's hate speech bill in the Senate on Tuesday night, despite the Liberals helping the Albanese government pass the legislation. A fourth Nationals senator, Matt Canavan, also voted against the bill but as a backbencher was not bound by cabinet solidarity rules.
Ms Ley announced on Wednesday that the three frontbench senators had offered their resignations "as is appropriate, and I have accepted them". She declared that shadow cabinet solidarity "is not optional" and forms "the foundation of serious opposition and credible government".
Cohesion Agreement Breached
The Coalition agreement between the Liberal and National parties requires shadow cabinet solidarity, meaning frontbenchers must vote as agreed by the joint Coalition party room. Ms Ley had warned Mr Littleproud earlier on Wednesday that frontbench Nationals senators "could not vote against the shadow cabinet position" that had been agreed to on Sunday.
Despite this warning, Mr Littleproud announced late on Tuesday night that the Nationals would not support the bill in the Senate, just hours before it went to a vote. In breaching the convention, Ms Ley said the senators had created "an unfortunate circumstance and one that requires action".
Second Major Challenge to Ley's Leadership
This represents the second major challenge to Ms Ley's authority since the Coalition temporarily split in May over energy and climate policy. The latest damage puts the Coalition leadership in question again, with another split now appearing almost guaranteed.
Ms Ley maintained that maintaining "a strong and functioning Coalition" was in the national interest. "I am proud of the Liberal Party I lead and my shadow cabinet team," she said following the resignations.
The Nationals party room met after Ms Ley announced the three senators would resign for splitting with the Liberals in the Senate. The mass resignation of all Nationals frontbenchers represents a significant escalation of the internal conflict and raises serious questions about the Coalition's stability moving forward.
