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 said, appearing alongside National Party leader David Littleproud in Canberra. The Coalition split on January 22 after the Nationals, citing free speech concerns, refused to back reforms moved by the government following a tragic attack at a Jewish festival in Bondi Beach that killed 15 people.
It's been disappointing, we've got to where we are but it was over a substantive issue, Littleproud expressed. The Coalition faced a significant loss in last year’s elections and has experienced two splits within a year, the previous one occurring over climate and energy policies. This recent division stemmed from hate speech reforms introduced by the centre-left Labor government after the Bondi Beach attack. While the Liberals supported the government, the Nationals abstained and voted against the legislation, citing concerns that it threatened free speech.
The proposed laws include measures to ban groups inciting hate and implementing stricter penalties for those promoting violence. Ley emphasized the need for the Coalition to refocus on governance, acknowledging the challenging period for their supporters and the broader Australian public who rely on their leadership. Both parties agreed on a framework preventing either side from unilaterally overturning decisions made within their joint shadow cabinet. Historically, the Coalition, which has existed since the 1940s, faced a split for the first time since 1987, triggered primarily by ideological differences between the more conservative Nationals and the Liberals.
As they navigate internal challenges and external pressures from rising populist parties, the Coalition's unity is crucial for its viability in the Australian political landscape.
It's been disappointing, we've got to where we are but it was over a substantive issue, Littleproud expressed. The Coalition faced a significant loss in last year’s elections and has experienced two splits within a year, the previous one occurring over climate and energy policies. This recent division stemmed from hate speech reforms introduced by the centre-left Labor government after the Bondi Beach attack. While the Liberals supported the government, the Nationals abstained and voted against the legislation, citing concerns that it threatened free speech.
The proposed laws include measures to ban groups inciting hate and implementing stricter penalties for those promoting violence. Ley emphasized the need for the Coalition to refocus on governance, acknowledging the challenging period for their supporters and the broader Australian public who rely on their leadership. Both parties agreed on a framework preventing either side from unilaterally overturning decisions made within their joint shadow cabinet. Historically, the Coalition, which has existed since the 1940s, faced a split for the first time since 1987, triggered primarily by ideological differences between the more conservative Nationals and the Liberals.
As they navigate internal challenges and external pressures from rising populist parties, the Coalition's unity is crucial for its viability in the Australian political landscape.
