Liberals and Nationals to Reconsider Split, Shadow Cabinet Announcement Delayed

Both party leaders have met to explore a future for the Coalition.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud (C), Nationals Deputy Leader Kevin Hogan (R), and Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie (L) at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on May 20, 2025. Lukas Coch/AAP Image

The Liberals and Nationals have put their split on hold as they reconsider policy demands and delay appointing a shadow cabinet.

This comes weeks after the May 3 election, where the Nationals made the surprise announcement not to renew the Coalition agreement for the first time in 38 years.

Now Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud say the break up may be on hold following a May 22 meeting.

When asked about the chance of the Coalition reuniting Littleproud said, “Of course there is.”

The Nationals leader also told reporters that Ley’s decision to hold a party room meeting to look at the National’s policy demands was a “positive step forward.”

“I thank her for that. And as a consequence, I have decided to send those spokespeople home as a sign of good faith. And Sussan, as a sign of good faith, will not be announcing a shadow cabinet,” he told reporters.

Ley and Littleproud were supposed to reveal their respective frontbench line-ups on the same day, but this will now be delayed.

The Nationals revealed four areas of contention with the Liberals: adding nuclear energy to Australia’s energy mix, creating a $20 billion regional future fund, supermarket competition reforms, and guaranteeing reliable internet and telecommunications in the country.

Ley Welcomes Decision to Allow More Time

Ley welcomed the Nationals decision.

“This morning, David Littleproud has made a public statement that the Nationals are willing to accept shadow cabinet solidarity as part of a Coalition agreement,” she said.

“Earlier today I wrote to and met with David inviting him to re-enter good faith negotiations. I am pleased he has accepted,” Ley added.

“In relation to the policy positions proposed by the National party room, consistent with my consultation commitment, the Liberal party will consider these, utilising our party room processes.”

Former PMs Concerned With Split

The new development follows former Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s criticism of the split.

“And if the Libs and the Nats go their separate ways we won’t have one strong opposition, we will have two opposition parties that are fighting each other as much as they are fighting a bad government,” Abbott said on 2GB radio on May 22.

“And that’s a recipe for permanent opposition and it’s a recipe for permanent poor government in our country.”

Abbott called for the Liberal Party and National parties to “get back together again as soon as possible.”

“I recall back in the mid 80’s the Liberals and the Nats split from each other and Bob Hawke won a couple of elections basically with this refrain: If you can’t govern yourselves then you can’t govern the country,” he said.

“Now Albo will just recycle Bob Hawke’s refrain and most people will nod their heads because, that’s right, ‘If you can’t agree amongst yourselves how can you provide a coherent and strong alternative policy for our country?’”

Former Prime Minister John Howard also urged the leaders to come together.

“If the two parties remain separate for too long away from a coalition, then the differences in policy will harden, and it will be more difficult to resolve them,” Howard said on the ABC.

“It is my very strong opinion that policy differences are best resolved within the framework of a coalition.”