Coalition wins ‘reset’ but first real test looms large
The coalition may be enjoying a “reset” under new leadership, but a test of the parties’ improved relations is fast approaching.
Newly elected Liberal leader Angus Taylor announced on Tuesday that citizens suspended when he announced his shadow ministry would be restored to the front bench.
As part of a coalition negotiated by ousted leader Sussan Ley and National leader David Littleproud, he allowed National MPs and senators who had been suspended for six weeks to immediately return to their duties.
The coalition’s messy split occurred in January and lasted 17 days following a row over hate speech laws introduced in response to the Bondi terror attack.
Ross Cadell, one of three Nationals senators to take to the floor on the controversial legislation, said Mr Taylor’s waiver of the delay was “the reset the coalition needs”.
“We had problems with division from the beginning of last campaign. This is an unexpected and welcome compromise,” he told AAP.
“If you want to know about the relationship, Littleproud and Angus had dinner on Friday night and got on well.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of David and Susan sharing a cup of tea, let alone a meal.”
Nationals MP Michael McCormack said Mr Taylor would bring a fresh approach to the coalition.
“Angus saw clearly that it would make sense to bring back National Party shadow ministers… it’s convenient, it’s logical, it’s practical,” he said.
The shadow ministerial reshuffle comes after Mr Taylor sacked Ms Ley in a party room leak last week after tough votes and infighting led to calls for a leadership change.
A by-election is looming for the seat of Farrer, which she has long held after Ms Ley announced her resignation from parliament.
The two coalition partners do not usually compete against each other in most seats but Farrer, which includes Griffith and the border city of Albury, is an exception.
ANU political expert Zareh Ghazarian said the real test of the coalition’s “renewed” relationship may lie in how the by-election turns out.
“This could potentially be a point of friction between the two parties… could pit them against each other,” Dr Ghazarian said.
“It will be interesting to see the tone and temperament of the debate between the coalition parties.
“This will give us a real-time insight into how the renewed coalition is operating.”
Asked whether Mr Taylor and Mr Littleproud had struck a new coalition deal, Liberal deputy leader Jane Hume did not elaborate on details.
“This is not something we would talk about publicly,” he told ABC TV.
“They talk to each other every day because they have such a good working relationship, and now I’m really looking forward to the coalition coming together.”
Australia’s Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national news channel and has been providing accurate, reliable and fast-paced news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We inform Australia.
