Coalition Peace Deal Proposes Six-Month Backbench Ban for Nationals Defectors
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has briefed Liberal MPs on the terms of a potential peace deal with the Nationals, aimed at reuniting the fractured Coalition. The proposal, discussed following talks with Nationals leader David Littleproud on Monday night, includes a significant penalty for three National senators who recently defied the shadow cabinet.
Key Sticking Point in Negotiations
The major obstacle in the reunification talks remains the status of three former frontbenchers – Senators Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell, and Susan McDonald. These senators voted against Labor's hate speech laws, directly contradicting the shadow cabinet's position. Ley's subsequent acceptance of their resignations prompted the Nationals to walk out of the shadow ministry, marking the second Coalition break-up in just eight months.
Under Ley's proposed offer to Littleproud, which Guardian Australia has confirmed, the three defiant senators would be required to sit on the backbench for a period of six months. This suspension would effectively bar them from rejoining the shadow cabinet until July 2026, providing a cooling-off period while allowing the Coalition to present a united front.
Terms of the Proposed Agreement
The peace deal outlines several key conditions designed to restore stability and discipline within the Coalition. While the three suspended senators would be temporarily sidelined, the Nationals would retain the right to choose which of their MPs replace them in the shadow cabinet. This concession aims to balance accountability with party autonomy.
Furthermore, both parties would commit to adhering strictly to shadow cabinet solidarity, with neither side having the authority to overturn decisions made by the shadow cabinet. This clause seeks to prevent future public disagreements and reinforce collective responsibility.
Additionally, the Liberals are seeking to regain the assistant treasury portfolio, which was transferred to the Nationals following the 2025 federal election. In potential exchange, the skills portfolio could be offered to the Nationals, though negotiations on this point are ongoing.
Political Context and Immediate Next Steps
Ley did not face a snap leadership spill at Tuesday's meeting, as conservative rival Angus Taylor continues to bide his time before mounting any potential challenge. This temporary reprieve allows Ley to focus on securing the Coalition's reunification without immediate internal pressure.
The Nationals party room is meeting on Tuesday morning to consider Ley's offer. With parliament resuming later that day, the urgency to resolve the split is palpable, as both parties currently plan to sit separately, undermining their opposition effectiveness.
This development follows Ley's appearance at a church service at St Paul's Anglican Church in Canberra on Tuesday, where she maintained a public presence amid the intense political negotiations. The outcome of these talks will significantly impact the Coalition's cohesion and its ability to challenge the Labor government on key legislative matters, including contentious issues like hate speech laws.
