Australia's Liberal-National Coalition, the country's main opposition, reunited on Sunday, more than two weeks after the centre-right partners split in a row over hate speech laws. 'The Coalition is back together and looking to the future, not to the past,' Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley announced alongside National Party leader David Littleproud in Canberra.
The Coalition split on 22 January after the Nationals, citing free speech concerns, refused to back reforms moved by the government following a tragic attack where two gunmen targeted a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 fatalities.
Littleproud expressed disappointment over the division, noting, 'It's been disappointing, we've got to where we are but it was over a substantive issue.' The Coalition, which suffered a heavy election loss last year, has now faced two splits within a year—this separation over hate speech reforms introduced by the centre-left Labor government after the Bondi Beach attack.
While the Liberals sided with the government, the Nationals abstained from the vote in the lower house and voted against the measure in the Senate, labeling it rushed and a threat to free speech. The proposed legislation aims to ban groups that spread hate and impose tougher penalties on those who advocate violence.
Ley acknowledged the challenges faced by the Coalition, stating, 'I acknowledge this has been a difficult time. It has been a difficult time for millions of our Coalition supporters, and many other Australians who rely on our two great parties to provide scrutiny and leadership.'
Both leaders affirmed their commitment to a collaborative future, establishing that neither party could overturn decisions made by the Coalition's joint 'shadow cabinet.' This marks a critical moment in their political journey, as they navigate public pressure and attempts to regain trust following significant losses at the polls. Dating back to the 1940s, this Coalition had not previously split since 1987 before the brief separation last year. The National Party, which represents regional communities, often adopts a more conservative stance compared to the Liberals. As they move forward, the Coalition is under pressure from populist parties and needs to strategically regain its footing within Australian politics.
The Coalition split on 22 January after the Nationals, citing free speech concerns, refused to back reforms moved by the government following a tragic attack where two gunmen targeted a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 fatalities.
Littleproud expressed disappointment over the division, noting, 'It's been disappointing, we've got to where we are but it was over a substantive issue.' The Coalition, which suffered a heavy election loss last year, has now faced two splits within a year—this separation over hate speech reforms introduced by the centre-left Labor government after the Bondi Beach attack.
While the Liberals sided with the government, the Nationals abstained from the vote in the lower house and voted against the measure in the Senate, labeling it rushed and a threat to free speech. The proposed legislation aims to ban groups that spread hate and impose tougher penalties on those who advocate violence.
Ley acknowledged the challenges faced by the Coalition, stating, 'I acknowledge this has been a difficult time. It has been a difficult time for millions of our Coalition supporters, and many other Australians who rely on our two great parties to provide scrutiny and leadership.'
Both leaders affirmed their commitment to a collaborative future, establishing that neither party could overturn decisions made by the Coalition's joint 'shadow cabinet.' This marks a critical moment in their political journey, as they navigate public pressure and attempts to regain trust following significant losses at the polls. Dating back to the 1940s, this Coalition had not previously split since 1987 before the brief separation last year. The National Party, which represents regional communities, often adopts a more conservative stance compared to the Liberals. As they move forward, the Coalition is under pressure from populist parties and needs to strategically regain its footing within Australian politics.
