The Coalition may be back on, just days after the Nationals announced their shock decision to split from the Liberal Party.
The Nationals revealed on Tuesday they were breaking away from the Liberals, marking just the third time the Coalition parties have gone their separate ways in the last 80 years.
But Liberal Party Leader Sussan Ley said on Thursday afternoon that she was heartened by Nationals Leader David Littleproud’s public admission that his party was willing to accept Shadow Cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition Agreement.
‘This is the first time this commitment has been made and I welcome it as a foundation to resolve other matters,’ Ley said.
‘Earlier today I wrote to, and met with, David inviting him to re-enter good-faith negotiations. I am pleased he has accepted.
‘In relation to the policy positions proposed by the National Party Room, consistent with my consultation commitment, the Liberal Party will consider these, utilising our party room processes.’
‘It has always been the Liberal Party’s objective to form a Coalition and we welcome The Nationals’ decision to re-enter negotiations.’
The announcement of shadow cabinet ministers has now been paused.
Liberal Party Leader Sussan Ley (pictured) said on Thursday afternoon that she was heartened by Nationals Leader David Littleproud saying that his party was willing to accept Shadow Cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition Agreement
Littleproud (pictured) said he will give the Liberals more time to discuss his party’s policy requests after he blew up the coalition’s decades-long partnership
It’s understood that Ley invited Littleproud to meet in her office this morning after he said publicly the Nationals would be willing to accept Shadow Cabinet solidarity.
This means that the Nationals would not be able to break ranks on the Coalition’s agreed policy positions.
Littleproud said he will give the Liberals more time to discuss his party’s policy requests after he blew up the coalition’s decades-long partnership.
He has paused his attempt to announce portfolios for his party and in return Liberals leader Sussan Ley will not unveil her shadow ministry, which was set to be announced by the end of the week.
‘This is a positive step forward – one in which we’ve always said we’d be productive and constructive,’ Mr Littleproud told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
‘We didn’t do what we did on Tuesday lightly – it was a tough decision, a huge decision, and we in a sign of good faith, have made it clear that I’m prepared to pause my announcement today.’
The Nationals allege the break up occurred because they could not secure commitments on key policies.
However, Liberals claimed the conservative relationship collapsed due to a disagreement over shadow cabinet solidarity, which binds members to publicly support collective decisions, even if they disagree internally.
Littleproud said his previous negotiations with Ley centred on four non-negotiable policies.
These included support for nuclear energy, break-up powers for supermarkets, a regional Australia future fund and reliable telco coverage in rural areas.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott said the political divorce was understandable, but regrettable.
‘Let’s get over the electoral PTSD and let’s get back together again as quickly as possible,’ he told Sydney radio 2GB.
‘If the Libs and the Nats go their separate ways, we won’t have one strong opposition – we’ll have two opposition parties that are fighting each other as much as they’re fighting a bad government.’