The Nationals have broken the Coalition, for the first time in nearly four decades, because new Liberal leader Sussan Ley would not agree to their policy demands being part of a new agreement between the parties.
Ley had hoped an agreement could be reached. The split will make running a strong opposition more difficult and complicated.
The Nationals’ dramatic decision is also likely to risk greater instability within the Liberals, where the numbers between the conservatives on one hand and the moderates and centrists on the other are narrowly balanced.
Nationals leader David Littleproud told a news conference on Tuesday morning the party, which met earlier Tuesday morning, had taken a “principled” decision to sit alone.
Littleproud said Ley – who has said all policies are on the table – needed to rebuild the Liberal Party. “They are going on a journey of rediscovery, and this will provide them the opportunity to do that without the spectre of the National Party imposing their will.”
He said the Nationals wanted to look forward, “not having to look back and to try and actually regain important policy pieces that change the lives of the people we represent.