A reunion of the Coalition seems inevitable but tensions remain in both parties.
Some Nationals are defending the gains secured in the talks that sent the opposition into turmoil for two weeks.
But negotiations are back on even as former leaders circle Nationals boss David Littleproud.
Queensland senator Matt Canavan expressed a candid opinion, stating, “I apologize for being direct with my colleagues, but we seem to be insignificant at the moment. We’re not making an impact in the Senate, and the same goes for the House. It’s crucial that we get organized.”
Those leadership rumbles continue ahead of the announcement of a shadow cabinet, potentially this week and potentially another flash point.
When asked if his job was safe, Littlproud told Today: “That’s entirely up to the party room, but they sent me here with clear instructions.”
Deputy leader Kevin Hogan mentioned that his constituents appreciated the results of the fluctuating negotiations with the Coalition.
“The response I receive from my community is vastly different from the urban commentary regarding our actions this week. People are both grateful and appreciative,” he shared on ABC’s Insiders.
That gratitude came even as government-funded nuclear power â one of the four key policies over which the Nationals temporarily blew up the Coalition â was sidelined in favour of pushing to lift the nationwide ban on nuclear energy.
Former PM Malcolm Turnbull weighed in.
“There’s no prospect of anyone in the private sector ever building something here – so that’s something that would be very easy to agree to,” he said.
Liberal senator Andrew Bragg told Sky Agenda: “What this has shown is that Sussan Ley has the capacity to steady the ship.”
Hogan said Littleproud had “very, very strong support in the Nationals party room”.
“I’d say even more support after the process that we’ve been through,” he said.
The confusion helps the government as the prime minister prepares to head back to flood-affected regions this week.
