Sussan Ley has been engaging in discussions with Nationals who opposed the breakup of the Coalition, including Barnaby Joyce, in an effort to mend the rift. Ley has reached out to former leaders Joyce and Michael McCormack, as well as frontbencher Darren Chester, in her pursuit of reconciliation. Despite ongoing arguments between the Nationals and Liberals regarding the reasons behind the split, David Littleproud stated that the breakup was solely related to key policy promises for regional Australia. Littleproud denied claims that he demanded freedom for Nationals in the shadow ministry to speak against Coalition policy. Ley had previously stated that the Nationals sought changes to shadow cabinet solidarity. However, Littleproud insisted that the breakdown occurred due to four specific policy demands: nuclear power, forced break-up powers for supermarkets, a $20 billion regional infrastructure fund, and telecommunications guarantees for rural areas. The Nationals’ Senate leader, Bridget McKenzie, denied that shadow cabinet solidarity was a sticking point. Ley’s office pushed back during a live interview, emphasizing that shadow cabinet solidarity was indeed a concern. Littleproud later said that Ley’s response was reasonable. The dispute also involves the voice to parliament debate and concerns about sitting in the Senate with the Liberals. Tony Abbott expressed his belief that the split is detrimental to both parties and the opposition.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/22/nationals-liberal-party-coalition-split-reasons
Sussan Ley attempts to mend the rift within the Coalition by reaching out to former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce | Australia news
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