Three Nationals shadow ministers are expected to resign from the opposition frontbench, according to sources within the Nationals and Liberal parties. The senators, McKenzie, Cadell, and McDonald, were reportedly drafting resignation letters at 9:30 am on Wednesday, as Coalition leaders navigate the delicate process of minimizing damage and avoiding a formal split. This comes after a heated debate over a watered-down section of the bill prohibiting hate groups, which raised concerns among Nationals backbenchers, including Matt Canavan, about potential targeting of political and religious groups.
The four Nationals senators, including Canavan, voted against Labor's bill alongside the Greens and crossbenchers at approximately 11 pm on Tuesday, while Liberal senators joined Labor in passing the legislation. This decision was influenced by the rushed legislative process, which made it challenging for opposition MPs to support Labor's legislation comfortably. Shadow ministers are typically expected to follow the cabinet's agreed-upon position.
Sussan Ley, the leader of the Nationals, held a meeting with her leadership group earlier in the day. The tension within the Coalition has been heightened by the fact that Liberal frontbenchers, such as Michaelia Cash, abstained from voting. This has led to a leadership test for Ley, as Foreign Minister Penny Wong questioned whether she would enforce the convention that shadow cabinet members who vote against the shadow cabinet position must resign.
One of the shadow ministers, Caddell, acknowledged the potential consequences of his actions, stating that he voted against the bill with the expectation of being sacked from his position as opposition water and emergency services spokesman. He emphasized the importance of shadow cabinet solidarity, indicating that members must be prepared to give up their positions if they vote against the cabinet's decision. However, some Nationals MPs argue that forcing resignations would be excessive, given the chaotic legislative process initiated by Labor.
The situation remains fluid, with the future of the shadow ministers and the Coalition's stability hanging in the balance. As the drama unfolds, the public and political analysts alike await the outcome of these tense negotiations.
