This week’s decision has been squarely aimed at the Nationals’ dissatisfaction with Opposition Leader and our Member for Farrer Sussan Ley.
It stems from decisions made on the antisemitism laws, with the party decision being publicly announced on what was a national day of mourning for the victims of the Bondi terror attack yesterday.
Because of that day of mourning, Ms Ley is reserving all public comment on the National Party vote until today.
“Today the focus must be on Jewish Australians, indeed all Australians, as we mourn the victims of the Bondi terrorist attack,” she said yesterday, when contacted by the Pastoral Times.
“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.
“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'.”
Before also agreeing to suspend all media commentary for the day of mourning, Mr Littleproud issued a statement which was scathing of the Liberals and Ms Ley’s leadership.
“The Nationals’ Party Room has determined that remaining in a Coalition with the Liberal Party under the leadership of Sussan Ley has become untenable and cannot continue,” it said.
While the Liberals supported the laws, several Nationals senators either opposed or abstained, citing concerns the bills were rushed and risked undermining free speech.
When Liberal leader Sussan Ley accepted the resignations of three Nationals frontbenchers who broke shadow cabinet solidarity, Mr Littleproud responded by withdrawing his party from the shadow ministry entirely, effectively ending the Coalition arrangement.
“The entire National Party shadow ministry is equally bound and committed to this decision, made after extensive and considered deliberation,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Nationals’ Senate team acted in the national interest. This legislation was too important to risk getting wrong.
“Sussan Ley has put protecting her own leadership ahead of maintaining the Coalition.
“This week, the Australian parliament should have come together to make Australia safer and protect the freedoms that we have enjoyed since before federation.
“What has resulted, however, is the passing of a Bill that, while well-intentioned, is seriously flawed, pushed through Parliament in pursuit of a contrived political deadline.”
The Nationals’ vote to leave the Coalition in May last year was in relation to policies on nuclear energy policy, but the Liberals managed to salvage the relationship.
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