Coalition implosion
The Coalition has split for the first time in decades after talks between Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud broke down. Plus: Labor holds the line on its super tax plan.
In breaking news from Canberra, the Coalition has split for the first time in decades, after Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud failed to reach an agreement to maintain the political partnership.
Key sticking points included nuclear energy policy and divestiture powers aimed at breaking up supermarket dominance — issues that have exposed deeper ideological divisions between the two parties.
Littleproud said the Nationals were leaving the door open to future talks but stressed the Liberals needed time to “rediscover who they are”.
The breakdown raises the prospect of separate policy platforms at the next federal election and follows weeks of post-election turmoil, including the defection of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to the Liberals and internal leadership challenges within the Nationals.
