Littleproud explained that he and the Liberal Party’s representative, Sussan Ley, were unable to reach consensus on several policy issues, including nuclear energy, a fund for regional Australia’s future, and enforced supermarket divestiture. However, both parties pledged to work towards reinstating the Coalition before the next election.

In the interim, the Nationals will not participate in the official opposition, and their MPs and senators will be excluded from shadow cabinet roles.

The Nationals will also continue to oppose any live export ban, as well as calling for a regional future fund, and the forced break-up of the major supermarket chains.

“We’ve been very principled about (supermarket divestiture), about the impact it’s had on farmers but also the impact that it’s had on the Australian consumer, whether they be in metro or rural areas,” he said.

Littleproud said from the outset that the discussions between him and Ley went at the Liberal leader’s pace due to her mother’s failing health and death on Saturday.

“I made myself available to go to Albury when she wanted to initiate those discussions, rather than making her come to Canberra,” he said.

“I took the decision to drive to Albury and to start those negotiations when she was ready. And then, obviously, after the sad passing of her mother, we made it very clear, we didn’t need to enter into any further discussions until she was ready…

“My thoughts are still with Sussan and her family for the loss of Sussan’s mother.”

This isn’t the first time the Nationals and Liberal Party have failed to renew their Coalition agreement since the latter was founded in 1944.

Following Gough Whitlam’s “It’s Time” victory in 1972, the parties didn’t form a combined opposition.

However, they returned to their usual partnership for the 1974 election, which saw Whitlam win again.

More than 10 years later, the campaign by Queensland Nationals Premier Joh Bjelke-Peterson to become prime minister – effectively usurping the prerogative of leadership from the Liberals – again split the Coalition.

The Liberals and Nationals parted company from April to August 1987, but today’s split is the first since they came together in the aftermath of Bob Hawke’s shattering Labor victory that year.