The Nationals will break with the Liberal party, ending the formal coalition for the first time since 1980s.
Nationals leader David Littleproud said MPs had made the shock decision not to enter into a new Coalition agreement with the Liberals in talks at Parliament House on Tuesday, after a breakdown in negotiations with Opposition Sussan Ley.
Littleproud said nuclear policy, a $20bn regional Australia future fund, forced break-up powers in the supermarket sector and essential services in the bush were key sticking points in the decision.
The split means the two parties will not be together in opposition against Labor, which smashed the Coalition in the 3 May election and is on track to have nearly 95 seats in the House of Representatives.
Nationals MPs won’t sit on the opposition frontbench and the minor party will make its own policy for the coming term of parliament.
“The National party will sit alone on a principle basis on the basis of
looking forward, not having to look back and to try and actually regain important policy pieces that change the lives of the people we represent,” Littleproud said.
“It’s on a principle position of making sure that those hard-fought wins are maintained and respected, we continue to look forward.”
More details soon
