The federal Coalition has effectively collapsed after the National Party resigned en masse from the Opposition frontbench, declaring the long‑standing political alliance with the Liberals ‘untenable’.
Nationals leader David Littleproud confirmed the extraordinary break on Thursday, saying the party could no longer remain in the Coalition after Liberal leader Sussan Ley refused to reinstate three Nationals senators who voted against controversial hate‑speech legislation.
‘This Coalition can no longer continue,’ Littleproud said, appearing distraught and on the verge of tears as he made the announcement.
‘We are a sovereign party and we will not be forced into voting for legislation that breaches our principles.’
The split leaves the Opposition fractured.
The crisis erupted on Wednesday when Nationals frontbenchers Bridget McKenzie, Susan McDonald and Ross Cadell resigned after breaking Coalition unity to vote against the Albanese Government’s hate‑speech laws.
Under Coalition protocol, shadow cabinet members are required to vote along party lines, but the trio broke ranks – leaving them with no option but to resign from the frontbench or be stood down by Ley.
‘When three of our senators were punished for carrying out the will of our party room, the Coalition became untenable,’ he said.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud (pictured) said the Coalition could ‘no longer continue’
‘One in, all in. One out, we’re all out.
‘I have never seen our party room more united.
‘These men and women showed courage and conviction – prepared to do what they believed, in their conscience, was the right thing.
‘That is the beautiful thing about democracy, and it must always be protected.’
Littleproud revealed he warned Ley that accepting the resignations would trigger the exit of the entire Nationals ministry – a warning he said was ignored.
‘The decision was made despite full knowledge of the consequences,’ he said.
‘This is not what the National Party wanted, but we cannot stand by while our party and our democratic processes are disrespected.’
Littleproud took aim at the decision‑making process that led to the Coalition’s final position on the Albanese Government’s Hate Speech laws.
Ley (pictured) will not speak until Friday, out of respect for the Bondi National Day of Mourning
The Nationals leader acknowledged that the government’s rushed handling of the bills contributed to the problem.
‘This process wasn’t all Sussan Ley’s fault. Anthony Albanese put her in this process, but it has been mismanaged by Sussan Ley.’
Following the announcement, Ley unleashed on Littleproud after he made the announcement of the split on the national day of mourning for the Bondi Beach terror attack.
‘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 said.
‘I have grieved with the Bondi Chabad community and stood with them in their synagogues, their homes and at many funerals. I will again stand with them tonight at the Opera House, as we make clear that light will win.’
It is understood that Ley asked Littleproud not to proceed with the media conference on the day of mourning and is disappointed that he went ahead with it.
Littleproud also slammed claims that the recent surge in One Nation was behind the party’s decision, criticising former National’s MP and defector Barnaby Joyce.
‘The reality is they haven’t got a lower house seat apart from one that Barnaby Joyce gave them because he couldn’t have my job,’ he said.
‘Because [The Nationals] party room would never vote for him again.’
