Ley fights for political career after coalition split
As politicians prepare to return to Canberra next week, the Liberals and National Party face some tough questions following their unceremonious political divorce.
WHAT HAPPENED?
* Formerly political allies, the Liberals and Nationals dissolved their coalition over disagreement over contentious hate speech legislation
* All National Frontrunners resigned from their shadow ministries and leader David Littleproud declared the end of the partnership with the Liberals
* Dissolution means the Liberals are now the official opposition and must fill frontbench roles previously held by the National Party
* But Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has yet to offer her Liberal team any of these positions, nearly a week after the split
* Citizens say they have not yet had any discussions about installing a new front bench
WHY DOES IT NOT COME OUT?
* Liberals disagree on why Ms Ley has not yet named her revised front kit
* Two sources said their leaders are hopeful the Nationals will return to the group and do not want to cement the divorce by handing over business previously held by the regional party to someone else
* But another source suggested Ms Ley was planning to give portfolios to key players so she could bolster her support in preparation for a leadership spill next week.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THE SECTION?
* Opposition front-liners receive a range of benefits including higher pay and more staff allowances
* With the Liberals now the official opposition and the Nationals relegated to cross-seeding, the regional party misses out on both of these advantages
* 11 National shadow ministers who quit their jobs will take pay cuts and reduce staff numbers even as they are given new roles in separate National party rooms
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
* While some MPs hope for a reunion, others are plotting to overthrow Ms Ley’s leadership
* Two Conservative MPs, Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie, are gauging whether they have enough support among their Liberal colleagues to challenge the opposition leader for office
* 26 votes are required in the 51-person party hall for the leadership to emerge
* Liberal sources believe a challenge is likely next Monday or Tuesday – if one of the challengers can muster the numbers to unseat Ms Ley
