In a dramatic turn of events, the Australian political landscape has been shaken by the mass resignation of the National Party’s entire frontbench. This latest chapter in the Coalition’s chaotic decline was sparked by a division over Labor’s hate speech laws, exposing the deep-rooted tensions within the governing alliance.
The catalyst for the crisis was the defiance of National Senators Bridget McKenzie and Ross Cadell, who voted with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party on a motion regarding migration, ignoring the pleas of their Coalition colleagues. This initial act of rebellion set the stage for a more significant showdown on Tuesday night, when McKenzie, Cadell, and fellow frontbencher Susan McDonald crossed the floor, effectively daring Opposition Leader Susan Ley to sack them.
In a desperate attempt to avert a mass walkout, National Party leader David Littleproud warned Ley via a leaked letter that accepting the resignations would spark a mass exodus of National MPs, decimating her opposition ministry and leaving the Coalition agreement in tatters. Littleproud’s warning proved prophetic, as all eight remaining National frontbenchers ultimately resigned, with the party leader himself announcing his intention to step down.
The fact that this crisis was sparked by Labor’s plans to target hate preachers and extremist organisations only underscores the fragility of the National-Liberal partnership. The spark was not a principled policy difference, but rather the National senators’ desire for the right to freelance on parliamentary votes and ignore the long-held convention of cabinet solidarity.
Ego, ideology, and arrogance have been the driving forces behind the National Party’s chaotic decline, dating back to Barnaby Joyce’s erratic tenure as leader and deputy prime minister. The junior coalition partner has swerved away from representing regional Australia, holding the country back on key issues, including meaningful efforts to address climate change.
As the Coalition grapples with this latest crisis, the real problem plaguing both the Liberals and the Nationals is the lack of authority wielded by Ley and Littleproud in their respective party rooms. Neither had the political heft to rein in the rogue elements within their ranks.
While Ley’s decision to try and put things on hold might buy her some time, Littleproud’s leadership is likely over. Matt Canavan, a National backbencher long in control of the party’s policy calls and internal politics, is poised to continue pushing his colleagues, with little regard for the voters the Coalition needs to win back.
As the dust settles, it remains unclear who Anthony Albanese will be facing in the first question time in a couple of weeks. However, one thing is certain: the Coalition’s turmoil has undoubtedly strengthened the Labor Party’s position, with Albanese surely the luckiest man in Canberra.
