Australia’s opposition coalition breaks after election defeat

Australia’s National Party has officially ended its over 60-year alliance with the Liberal Party, its conservative coalition partner, due to policy disagreements over renewable energy and following a heavy defeat in the recent national elections.

David Littleproud, leader of the Nationals, announced the split, saying, “It’s time to have a break.” This division highlights the challenges faced by Australia’s conservative parties after the centre-left Labor Party, led by Anthony Albanese, secured a historic second term in the May 3 election. Labor’s victory was influenced by voter discontent with former US President Donald Trump’s policies.

Traditionally, the Liberal and National parties have governed together, with the Nationals representing rural interests and the Liberals focusing on urban constituencies.

Littleproud confirmed that the Nationals would not renew their coalition with the Liberals due to unresolved policy conflicts.

Liberal leader Sussan Ley, appointed last week, expressed disappointment with the Nationals’ decision. She committed to reviewing all party policies following the election loss and stated that the Liberals would become the official opposition as the largest non-government party.

The Liberals suffered their worst defeat, winning only 28 out of 150 seats in the House of Representatives, while Labor increased its seats to 94, achieving its largest majority ever. The Nationals maintained their 15 seats.

Several key urban seats shifted from the Liberals to independent candidates advocating for gender equality and climate action.

Ley, the first female leader of the Liberal Party and a former pilot with a finance background, was elected after former leader Peter Dutton lost his seat. Littleproud remarked that Ley would lead the party through a rebuilding phase.

Despite the split, the Nationals remain open to future coalition discussions but prioritize rural Australians’ interests.

A major sticking point was the Nationals’ demand for a firm commitment to nuclear power, a policy they promoted during the campaign, which Ley did not guarantee. They also sought measures against the dominance of large supermarket chains and better telecommunications in remote areas.

Australia, home to the world’s largest uranium reserves, currently prohibits nuclear energy.

Littleproud criticized the Labor government’s shift to renewable energy alone as unreliable, stating that wind turbines damage the landscape and threaten food security.

Michael Guerin of AgForce warned that the urban-rural divide is deepening, reflecting in politics. He stressed that both parties need rebuilding.

Labor’s treasurer Jim Chalmers described the opposition’s split as a “nuclear meltdown” and noted that the Liberals would hold only a slightly larger presence than minor parties and independents when Parliament reconvenes.