Breaking News | Canberra Bureau COALITION SPLIT

"Untenable": Nationals Quit Frontbench En Masse as Coalition Partnership Collapses

Thursday, 22 January 2026 | 9:15 AM AEDT

The Australian political landscape has been rocked this morning as the Liberal-National Coalition splits for the second time in a year. Nationals Leader David Littleproud has declared the partnership "untenable" following a mass resignation of the entire Nationals frontbench.

The Trigger: Hate Speech Laws

The collapse follows Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's decision to accept the resignations of three senior Nationals—Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell, and Susan McDonald—who crossed the floor to vote against the government's hate speech laws, defying the shadow cabinet's agreed position.

"I cannot stand by and have three courageous senators, who put their jobs on the line for no reason that has any veracity whatsoever, to be disrespected. If these three senators could not be accepted, then our Coalition has become untenable." — David Littleproud, Nationals Leader

A Sovereign Divide

Littleproud argued that the National Party remains a sovereign entity and that Liberal leadership cannot dictate the conscience votes of its members, particularly when they believe the legislation in question—intended to combat extremism—threatens fundamental free speech.

Senator Bridget McKenzie defended the move, insisting that the reforms required a deeper Senate inquiry. "To say that somehow we should have folded on this legislation and against our principles is sending the wrong message," she stated.

The Liberal Position

Sussan Ley called the mass resignations "unnecessary," maintaining that while backbenchers can cross the floor, frontbenchers must maintain shadow cabinet solidarity to remain in their roles.

Labor's Response

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek slammed the infighting, accusing the Coalition of "falling apart at the seams" and focusing on internal "chaos and division" rather than national unity.

What Happens Next?

With the entire Nationals frontbench now sitting on the crossbench, the Opposition's ability to present a united front is in tatters. Sussan Ley has stated she will not make permanent changes to the shadow ministry yet, leaving the door open for a reconciliation, but the rhetoric from the Nationals suggests the bridge may already be burned.

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