Cartoon for the Melbourne Observer #auspol #sussanley #ratehike #coalitionsplit #liberalparty (Updated version)

Littleproud survives, retains leadership By AIDAN KNIGHT   ALIENATING not only from allies, but now also each other. Following the Nationals’ divergence from the Coalition, leader David Littleproud was challenged for his role, in criticism of the very same decision. The challenge marked the 12th change to the Nationals’ cabinet or frontbench in 2026, following a series of resignations after the Liberal Party backed bipartisan hate speech legislation alongside Labor. The Nationals were yet to complete portfolio allocations following their departure from the Coalition, which now required a separate frontbench from the Liberals where previously combined. This is something “my partyroom is more than capable of permanently fulfilling”, Liberal leader Sussan Ley said in the announcement, warning of permanency if the country party does not retreat homeward. Ms Ley issued an ultimatum at 12pm last Friday (January 30), announcing a Liberal-only acting shadow ministry set to run for a week – after which it would no longer be acting, should the Nationals not return to the Coalition. The Coalition has split seven times since its formation in 1923, originally involving the Nationalist and United Australia parties. The 2025 separation was the shortest on record, lasting just eight days. Mr Littleproud had informed the Coalition leader that the whole party would likely quit if her party voted in line with Labor over hate speech laws. Now, he was being ousted from the head of his own party, as Queensland backbencher Colin Boyce announced a spill movement against Littleproud at noon last Wednesday (January 28). The Flynn Division politician, who serves in the House of Representatives, is a member of the Liberal National Party in Queensland, an amalgamation of the parties that is merged only in his state, and while the Coalition existed, those sitting federally were required to choose to sit with one or the other in Canberra. Mr Boyce always aligned with the National Party, but was vocally critical of any separation from their partner in politics, which he reasoned as his decision in running against Mr Littleproud. Mr Boyce viewed the split as party self-destruction, and made it clear his first intention as leader should he win the fight. “The door is open to re-establish the Coalition, and I believe that is what we should do.” Claims from unnamed Nationals MPs had since emerged alleging Mr Boyce did not attend partyroom discussions on gun reform and hate speech laws prior to the vote. Those claims have not been independently verified. If true, this carries the same weight as a donkey-voter complaining about who is in government, not participating in the process of the party he’s claiming is being undermined by the result. Despite earlier comments suggesting a reunion would be impossible while Ms Ley remained Liberal leader, Mr Littleproud said The Nationals had not refused to meet with the Liberals. “It would be inaccurate to suggest that The Nationals rebuffed a meeting request by the Liberal Party,” he said in a statement on January 28. “Once the spill motion is determined in our partyroom meeting, a time will be scheduled.” Mr Littleproud described the split as “an opportunity for some time apart”, saying the parties remained aligned on many policies, but not all. The ‘not forever, just for now’ attitude of the party may have been the root of it’s instability, however polite it be, as Mr Littleproud said verbatim in the same televised appearance “it is an opportunity for some time apart”. This trivialised the Express’ comparison in last week’s issue of the Coalition breakdown to a divorce – which may proof to be more of a temporary lovers spat – while the rest of the country listens with an ear to the door. The spill turned out to die at the first hurdle for Boyce, after The Nationals announced at 2.25pm on Monday that the motion was unsuccessful. The pressure then returned to Ley, as her leadership remains as under fire internally as it was in 2025.

LV Express: Littleproud survives, retains leadership #News #Coalition #CoalitionSplit

Cartoon for the Melbourne Observer #auspol #coalitionsplit #libspill #lnp #nats #sussanley

Politicising the #bondiattack has its unintended consequences #Coalitionsplit #Auspol

Can't help thinking Malcolm is enjoying a bathtub full of 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘶𝘥𝘦 right now ...
#auspol #coalitionsplit

#natspill #CoalitionSplit #NatOneNationUnion ?

Why didn’t anybody (i mean anybody & even Gina) in either war room have this single thought???

Nationals - “i think this is a bad idea”

Liberals - “i think this is a bad idea”

#auspol
#CoalitionSplit

Australian’s would have more respect for the Australian Liberal Party if they just told David Littleproud to jam his idea of reigniting the coalition, where the sun doesn’t shine.

It hasn’t even been a damn week!

#auspol
#CoalitionSplit

We are in the skeleton room of the dinosaur centre where the kids are looking into a black hole in the floor and their observer explains "AND THIS IS THE SMOKING HOLE WHERE THE COALITION USED TO BE."

@mbjcartoonist.bsky.social #Cartoon for the Melbourne Observer #auspol #coalitionsplit #liberal #nationalparty #auspol25 #alttext

Australia's 77-year Liberal-National Coalition officially SPLITS over shadow cabinet rules. Former PM Abbott warns: "Recipe for permanent poor government." What does this mean for conservative opposition? 🧵👇 #AusPol #CoalitionSplit https://bit.ly/4jg7V88

Some Nats just realised they would not be getting shadow-minister salaries.
#coalitionsplit
#auspol

Would Jacinta Price now be the leader of the Nationals if Peter Dutton hadn’t coherently waved her a position on his front-bench?

#auspol
#CoalitionSplit

So when the Nationals come grovelling back to ‘reunite’ a stronger & more prosperous coalition, the Liberals need to stand their ground with a resounding….

🇦🇺💥 NO FUCK OFF💥🇦🇺

@liberalaus.bsky.social

#auspol
#CoalitionSplit

The coalition split is creating a vacuumed throughout every part of the West Minister system….

🚩we have been brainstorming 4 year terms, so now we’re looking into 6 year terms?

#CoalitionSplit
#CoalitionBloodBath

Cartoon for the Melbourne Observer #auspol #coalitionsplit #liberal #nationalparty #auspol25

'... the National Party no longer speaks solely for farmers and rural producers; instead, it’s become increasingly aligned with resource extraction industries and multinational mining interests ...' #auspol #coalitionsplit

Just love the way the political party comms teams come up with catchphrases to limit damage. ‘Necessary reset’ my arse 🙄
#CoalitionSplit

So, who gets Sky News After Dark in the divorce? 🤔 #auspol #CoalitionSplit #Liberals #Nationals

Original post on mastodon.social

Two thoughts on #CoalitionSplit:

- One may have expected the Nats, unburdened from their allegiance to the Libs, to go back to their roots as a farmers’/rural interests’ party. It seems they’re doubling down on the anti-renewables culture war, though. (Has nobody there heard of agrivoltaics?) […]

Original post on mastodon.social

The Coalition (the two big conservative parties in Australia that were one unit forever) has split up, after the Liberals (the larger party) lost seats and the Nationals (the more rural smaller party) got sick of its junior role […]

Is Jacinta Price having buyer’s remorse?

#auspol #CoalitionSplit

Quote of the day goes to Jim Chalmers IMO: 'They tried to divide the nation and ended up dividing themselves.' Nailed it. #auspol #coalitionsplit

Nationals leaving Coalition as David Littleproud announces split with Liberal party after election defeat Formal coalition agreement ending after breakdown in talks with Liberal leader Sussan Ley

The Coalition's breakup, following the recent election, comes as no surprise. NOW is a critical opportunity for all Australian political parties, especially Labor, to reflect and listen - a clear wake-up call for the entire political landscape.
#AusPol #CoalitionSplit #PeoplesVoice #DemocracyMatters

a man in a red shirt is standing in front of a body of water with boats in the background . ALT: a man in a red shirt is standing in front of a body of water with boats in the background .

Well, that’s the next election for Labor sorted out.
#coalitionSplit
#auspol

Okay, Littleproud has clearly been taking mind altering substances. He believes that Sussssan Ley can win the next election? OMFG! The delusion is strong in this one. 😂 #Auspol #CoalitionSplit

Make it happen Canavan

#CoalitionSplit

It’s time for the coalition split, it’s been coming…

#CoalitionSplit