The Liberals and Nationals, Australia‘s primary opposition political party, have come back to life following their agreement to merge. The most recent event occurs one week after the two conservative parties’ long-standing coalition broke up. In addition to announcing a new shadow cabinet composed of members from both parties, Liberal leader Sussan Ley thanked David Littleproud, the leader of the Nationals, for the “respectful and productive way” the two parties had negotiated their reunion.
After Littleproud claimed that the parties could not agree on important policy concerns, the coalition broke up last Tuesday. However, it appears that a resolution to the difficulties occurred on Wednesday afternooLey expressed that the parties are eager to act on behalf of the Australian people and believe they will be stronger together. Littleproud stated he would work with Ley to rebuild the relationship to the point that they can re-enter a coalition before the next election, as he announced the separation last week. He also emphasized that the Coalition had previously undergone division and reform. Climate and energy were major causes of disagreement in the recent tense relationship between the Liberals and the Nationals, who mostly represent regional towns and frequently lean more conservative than the Liberals.
The two parties have decided to renounce their previous pledge to construct seven nuclear power stations, but they will work to remove the country’s nuclear ban, according to local network ABC. Regional infrastructure expenditure, internet speeds and cell coverage in rural and regional regions and enhancing supermarket competition are among the other policy positions that have been agreed as part of the Coalition’s reconciliation, according to the ABC. The topic of net zero pledges, which is a contentious subject within the Coalition, was not brought up by either leader during Wednesday’s press conference. Ley stated that those talks would take place “within the policy development process.” Mark Kenny, head of the Australian Studies Institute, told the BBC that the first split was a “dramatic negotiating manoeuvre aimed at gaining greater representation for [Littleproud’s] party” and considered the Coalition’s reunion a “major win” for Ley.
