David Littleproud announces Nationals, Liberals split; takes swipe at Sussan Ley’s leadership
Nationals MP Darren Chester told Sussan Ley that Labour’s memories of the events leading up to the vote on the hate crime bill were “inconsistent” with his recollection that three National senators had breached shadow cabinet rules by voting against the then Coalition’s position on the bills, and objected to the Liberal leader’s decision to accept the resignations of National senators.
In a letter to Ley announcing his resignation on Wednesday night, Chester suggested the shadow cabinet had reached an “inconclusive conclusion” on the legislation at its meeting on Sunday and that there had been no further discussion before Tuesday evening’s vote, confirming the then Coalition’s position.
“It is difficult to argue that shadow cabinet solidarity has been breached when the coalition has failed to reach a final position in accordance with normal processes,” wrote Chester, who served as shadow veterans affairs minister before his resignation.
“In this policy vacuum, the National Representatives met several times and tried to find a way to improve the bill by eliminating unintended consequences… I support the position taken by the National Leader and the party chamber to support our senators who voted against the bill in question.”
National leader David Littleproud confirmed this morning that the party would leave the Coalition, marking the second breakup of Australia’s conservative bloc in eight months.
