Coalition in tatters as Cowper MP Pat Conaghan joins Nationals exodus from Shadow Ministry

Cowper MP Pat Conaghan has joined Nationals leader David Littleproud and six other frontbench colleagues in resigning from their positions, after the entire party quit the Coalition’s shadow cabinet following disagreement over Labor’s proposed hate speech laws.

📍How we got here: Conaghan, who acted as shadow assistant Treasurer and shadow minister for Financial Services, said in a statement that while he and the party may support the intent of Labor’s hate speech bill, “we do not support the rushed iteration that has been presented”.

• “The legislation needs and deserves to have amendments heard and tested,” said Conaghan. “These laws are too important to get wrong. They are too important not to consider the unintended consequences fully.”

The National Party had put forward multiple amendments to the bill, however all were voted down.

🗓️ The next day: On Thursday morning, Nationals leader David Littelproud declared the relationship with the Liberal Party “done”, saying he had made Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley “fully aware” earlier that day. 

Speaking to reporters, Littleproud said he had “made it very clear [the Nationals] cannot be part of a shadow ministry under Sussan Ley”.

🗞️ Keep on keepin’ on: This latest rupture is the second time in months the Coalition has split, and occurred after three National Party senators publicly broke shadow cabinet rules to vote against Labor’s hate speech reforms.