Liberals reuniting with Nationals ‘can’t be forced’
Senior Liberals are confident of reuniting with the National Party but the resumption of the coalition will not be rushed.
A week after the National Party left the coalition following a split over hate speech laws, tensions remain over whether Sussan Ley can remain opposition leader.
Deputy Liberal leader Ted O’Brien said he had not heard from other MPs about a possible challenge to Ms Ley’s leadership when parliament resumes on Tuesday.
“I do not believe there will be any difficulties next week… I am in close contact with my colleagues,” he told ABC TV on Thursday.
“I have not spoken to any colleagues in the last week who believe Sussan did not make the right decision. She has demonstrated tremendous strength and dignity in a very difficult situation with the National Party.”
Mr O’Brien said both sides would be stronger in the coalition but that reunification would not be accelerated for the sake of it.
“We would be best served by a coalition government with the Liberals and Nationals working together; at the moment that reunification has not happened,” he said.
“I believe it will happen at some point. It can’t be forced. It has to happen at the right time, for the right reason.”
Conservative caucus members Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor are open to Ms Ley’s role, but neither has put their hand up or made a proposal to run for the leadership.
James Paterson, a leading Liberal figure, said Ms Ley had the support of the party.
“I can’t predict what all of my colleagues may or may not do, but I would say that in my assessment Sussan continues to have the support of the majority of the party room,” he told ABC radio.
“I understand my responsibilities under the Westminster contract. If you do not support any leader, your first responsibility is to tell them, your second responsibility is to resign, and I did not do that.”
“So you can assume I continue to support Susan.”
Ms Ley is yet to name her full shadow cabinet following the split with the National Party.
This means shadow portfolios such as emergency management and trade have not been filled due to roles previously held by members of the Nationals.
Senator Paterson said the Liberals would appoint acting speakers for the missing portfolios before parliament resumes on Tuesday.
“I would like to point out that David Littleproud has not yet appointed any spokesperson for these areas,” he said.
“We must continue to meet with the National Party and see if reform of the coalition can occur.”
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