Minister warns Morrison and Bragg’s Islam remarks risk inflaming division; Ley’s rivals to meet today in Melbourne
Remaining with Paterson, he said the party needed to fill shadow frontbench positions left vacant after his split from the National Party before parliament returns next week, but wanted to work to reunify the Coalition.
“I would like to point out that David Littleproud has not yet appointed any spokesperson for these areas,” Paterson told ABC Radio National. he said.
“In my view, we should continue to talk to the National Party and see if a Coalition reform can happen, but if it does, it needs to happen with an agreed and shared understanding of the important principles of the Westminster system, including shadow cabinet solidarity.
“It is preferable to fight as a coalition in the next elections rather than separately.”
The Coalition divide accelerated last week when three National senators took to the floor over Labour’s hate speech reforms and the breakdown of shadow cabinet solidarity.
Paterson refused to speculate on how his colleagues were positioning themselves against a potential leadership leak but said he had the support of Sussan Ley.
“If he hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be talking to you this morning as shadow finance minister. [have my support]. I understand my responsibilities under the Westminster convention… If you don’t support any leader, the first responsibility is to tell them, the second responsibility is to resign, and I did neither, so you can assume I continue to support Sussan.
