The National and Liberal parties have agreed to re-enter a Coalition agreement.
The separation lasted eight days and was sparked by disagreements over four key policy areas and Shadow Cabinet arrangements.
The Coalition has now agreed to reunify as the official opposition bloc to the re-elected Labor Government, and has announced its Shadow Cabinet.
Here’s what you need to know.
The demands
Initially, the Coalition split over disagreements between the Liberal and National parties on four policy positions. They were...
Nuclear energy
The Nationals believe Australia needs to introduce nuclear energy to Australia through overturning a national ban. The Coalition promised to do this if it was elected earlier this month. The Nationals do not believe that the Coalition’s loss was because of its nuclear policy. Littleproud said the Australian economy cannot run efficiently on renewables.
Regional Australia Future Fund
In the run up to the last election, ex-Liberal leader Peter Dutton promised to set up a $20 billion fund to provide better infrastructure for regional and remote Australia.
Divestiture powers
This was a Coalition policy that could force large companies to sell parts of their business if they demonstrated anti-competitive behaviour. It was specifically aimed at breaking up the powers of supermarkets.
Universal Service Obligation
Guaranteed mobile and internet access in remote and regional Australia.
Solidarity
The other disagreement that led to the Coalition split was whether the Nationals wanted to waive obligations of cabinet solidarity.
This is where senior ministers are gagged from publicly criticising cabinet decisions in both government and opposition.
Liberal leader Sussan Ley said the Nationals pushed to scrap solidarity in order to speak freely, while the Nationals rejected her claims.
Both parties have since agreed to be bound by cabinet solidarity.
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Resolution
On Friday, the Liberal Party held a meeting where MPs and Senators agreed “in principle” to all four policies put forward by the Nationals.
An “in principle” agreement is not binding, but is generally perceived as an expression of support.
The Nationals reconvened, where they determined that they would sign a Coalition agreement, which was struck this morning.
Shadow Cabinet
Earlier today, Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud unveiled the shadow cabinet.
The reshuffle has seen some senior Liberals’ roles change, including Angus Taylor, who has been moved from Shadow Treasurer to Shadow Defence Minister.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who moved from the Nationals to the Liberal party room earlier this month, has been replaced as Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs by SA Senator Kerrynne Liddle.
What now?
The Coalition parties will now form the official Opposition to the Labor Government.
Coalition agreements are traditionally not revealed in public, so it’s not clear whether policy commitments formed the basis of the new deal.
“I know that we will be a great partnership going forward,” Ley told reporters this afternoon.
Littleproud added: “The focus now is on Anthony Albanese and the Labor Government and holding them to
account.”
