Coalition storm ends with three resignations, raising fresh questions about Ley’s future
Sussan Ley accepted the resignations of three Nationals frontbenchers following their rebellion on hate speech laws, as doubts grow about her grip on Coalition leadership.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s future remains under intense pressure after a day of confusion and drama over her inability to marshal support from her shadow cabinet for the Albanese government’s hate laws.
On Tuesday, three Nationals frontbenchers — Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald — refused to endorse the Coalition’s support for Labor’s push to toughen hate speech laws in the wake of last month’s Bondi terror attack.
After hours of meetings on Wednesday, Ley declared shadow cabinet solidarity conventions non-negotiable and accepted the exit of the trio via a media release. She asked Nationals leader David Littleproud to nominate three replacements.
“Maintaining a strong and functioning Coalition is in the national interest,’’ Ley said.
