Coalition Crisis: Nationals Leave Door Open as 60-Year Partnership Hangs by Thread

Last-minute negotiations could salvage Australia's conservative alliance after historic electoral disaster

Credit: David Littleproud FB page

The Coalition's abrupt dissolution marks the largest political shift in conservative Australian politics since the 1980s and could change the opposition landscape for years to come.

Following a crushing defeat in this month's national election, Australia's National Party severed ties with the Liberal Party, its conservative coalition partner of more than 60 years, citing policy disagreements over renewable energy. Dramatic events on Thursday, though, raise the possibility that the collaboration is still ongoing.
Following Liberal leader Sussan Ley's offer to call another meeting of her party room to discuss four key policy areas that precipitated the split, National Party leader David Littleproud declared a temporary halt to the coalition dissolution process.

After Labour won a historic election, pressure mounted on the 60-year-old Liberal-National Coalition, and the Nationals left over issues like nuclear energy, telecommunications, and supermarket competition laws. Before Parliament reconvenes, last-minute talks now present a possible route back to collaboration.

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