Sussan Ley has already made history. She is the first woman to head up the Liberal Party, a historic achievement in Australian politics long dominated by white men. This transformation arrives just as the Coalition – made up of the Liberal and National events – faces its newest rupture. The governing Liberal Party only has 28 members in the House of Representatives. This sea change makes new demands on their governance and representation.
The National Party, which has 15 members in the House of Representatives on its own, has been seriously hurt by this division. In Queensland and the Northern Territory, we have blended polities such as the Liberal-National Party (LNP) and the Country Liberal Party (CLP). This arrangement provides members of parliament and senators from these areas the option to attend meetings held by either the Liberal or National party rooms. This divide has huge consequences. This is the first time in nearly 30 years (the last break took place in 1987) that the Coalition has divided since its foundation.
Historical Context of Coalition Splits
The Coalition’s history is marked by its occasional separations, with the most notable split occurring in 1987 due to Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s “Joh for Canberra” campaign. This historical precedent serves as useful context for understanding the current dynamics at play as Sussan Ley replaces Barnaby Joyce as leader.
David Littleproud, LNP MP for Maranoa, has evidently decided to sink or swim with the Nationals under the new paradigm. Peter Dutton will be an important part of this transition. Despite staying an LNP MP, he now sits with the Liberals as a reminder of the flexible nature of party loyalties within this coalition framework.
Under Ley’s leadership, she’ll be able to staff her shadow ministry with only Liberals. This decision doubles down on her dedication to future-proofing the Liberal Party’s brand, especially after last week’s sudden and unusual shift.
Financial Implications for Members
Perhaps even more importantly is the financial structure within each of the parties that has become directly tied to member engagement and loyalty. The base salary for an MP in the Liberal doubling the size of their caucus is almost $234,000. Members of the opposition frontbench receive an additional 25 percent premium on top of their base salary. This additional incentive prompts them to climb further up the party ladder.
The separation of the Coalition could lead to shifts in how these salaries are perceived or allocated, particularly as Sussan Ley navigates her new leadership role. As she begins to form her shadow ministry, members will be mindful about costs. These things will be a big part of any calculations they make in terms of possible future position – either party!
Future of the Coalition and Party Dynamics
The Coalition’s future is unclear, as both parties continue to adjust their strategies and platforms. Lawrence Springborg noted that “under existing parliamentary arrangements, the National and Liberal Party rooms retain the discretion and autonomy to negotiate their own policy positions and working arrangements.” This quote is a big indication of the independence that both sides will have going forward.
In addition, recent events have shown a change in loyalties. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa-Price has notably defected from the Nationals to the Liberals, adding another layer to this evolving political landscape. Her move might be a harbinger of this realignment trend among members. They’re pushing back against Ley’s authoritarian leadership style and the new, partisan-drawn party lines.
Bridget McKenzie addressed these changes by stating that there will be “reasonable requests… put to a trusted partner,” highlighting that negotiations between the two parties may continue even amidst their separation.
