Australia's Liberal-National Coalition Reunites After Brief Split

Leaders Confirm Reunification
Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud confirmed the coalition’s return in a press conference on Wednesday. Ley thanked Littleproud for the “respectful and constructive” discussions that had concluded, saying that the Coalition would be “stronger together, better together” and ready to “fight for everybody camp”. Littleproud said while the parties had separately divided and re-formed over the years, they would now forge forward retaining a new focus in the lead-up to the next election.
The separation followed disputes on policy issues, notably on energy and climate. Ley only took over from Peter Dutton as Liberal leader after the Coalition had a poor election. Labor was re-elected for a second term in a landslide, and there were internal calls on the Liberals to return to the centre-right.

SOME STRATEGY: POLICY MOVES IN Conceding to Feingold and Embracing Shared Goals
As part of the reunification, the two sides had also agreed to cluck off an earlier agreement to build 7 nuclear power plants. But the pair will now campaign to have the national ban on nuclear energy removed. Other key areas of cooperation include strengthening infrastructure in rural areas, upgrading internet speed and mobile connection, and enhancing competition in the supermarket industry.

When asked about climate targets, both leaders refused to say anything, with both indicating that suchconversations would take place in the broader policy development stage.

Future Governance Coming up, a masterstroke
The reconstitution of the coalition is being regarded as a strategic win for Ley – with several analysts predicting that the split was something of a tactical play by Littleproud, to shore up the National’s bargaining power. Many analysts believe the two parties could not have expected to govern without each other, and this deal gave the Nationals important policy concessions.

There have been various splits and reunions in the liberal-National coalition, formed in the 1940s to hold the centre-right together. The last previous breakup was in 1987. While parties continue to have their differences internally, they have again realised that it is best to be united.
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