Australia’s Liberal-National coalition – currently the nation’s main opposition political party – has split after a partnership lasting almost 80 years.
The move marks a seismic change in the country’s political landscape and comes just weeks after a federal election that saw Labor win a second term in a landslide victory.
The National Party will not be re-entering a coalition agreement, leader David Littleproud said on Tuesday, as the Liberal Party goes on a journey of “rediscovery”.
The conservative Liberal-National coalition suffered a dramatic defeat at Australia’s federal election on 3 May, collectively losing more than a dozen seats.
Littleproud said he had a “respectful conversation” with new Liberals leader Sussan Ley – who replaced former opposition leader Peter Dutton – this morning.
“I gave her the commitment that I’ll work with her every day to help to try to rebuild the relationship to the point we can re-enter a Coalition before the next election,” he said.
