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The Nationals have once again found themselves at odds with the Liberals, marking the second split in a matter of months. This time, the division comes in response to the recently passed government legislation on hate speech and gun control.
During an appearance on Today, Ley emphasized that the Liberals remained committed to their core values, maintaining unity within the shadow cabinet.
“My priority is consistently ensuring that we hold the government accountable,” she asserted.
“As I’ve stated before, and will continue to state, the Coalition’s strength lies in its unity.”
She highlighted the importance of the two parties collaborating “constructively and calmly,” asserting that mutual respect among MPs still exists.
“The door is open, from my point of view, but I’m not looking at the door,” she said.
She also dismissed suggestions her leadership was under threat, saying that the Coalition had “improved” the government’s laws.
“I have led, and with respect, we’ve had genuine wins, with all of the things that we’ve done so far,” she said.
“I am absolutely confident in the leadership that I have delivered, the leadership I will deliver, and the strength of effort that my party and I are making every single day.”
Rumoured leadership contestants Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor were “strong, committed members of my team”, Ley said.
Littleproud told Today it was Ley who “broke the Coalition” by accepting the resignations of shadow frontbenchers who refused to support the government’s bill.
He also claimed the usual processes of party-room disagreements weren’t followed.
“We are allowed, as a party, to have the courage of our conviction to stand up for ourselves,” he said.
And while the Liberals and Nationals were aligned on many things, he said, “there’s this perception the Coalition is one party, and it’s not”.
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said the party had proposed “reasonable amendments” to the government’s laws that were knocked back by the leadership.
”My crime, if there is one, is doing my job as a parliamentarian,” he said.
“I mean, what are we there for, but to make sure the laws that are passed in this country are the best for the people of Australia.”
He said Littleproud was doing an excellent job as party leader and that ordinary Australians didn’t care about “drama queens” in politics.