Australia’s conservative opposition coalition divides once more over hate speech laws

Australia’s conservative coalition experienced its second split on Thursday in under a year, as the junior partner National Party cut ties with the Liberal Party, pointing to the Liberals’ support for the government’s hate speech laws as the reason.

This week, Australia’s parliament approved the new anti-hate laws proposed by the centre-left Labor government, following the Bondi Beach mass shooting last month, with support from the Liberals. Three National senators opposed the bill, arguing that it was hastily passed through parliament and might jeopardize freedom of speech.

In a display of unity, all National members resigned from the opposition’s shadow cabinet late on Wednesday after three of their senators had previously stepped down for violating coalition rules by voting contrary to the Liberals’ stance.

National leader David Littleproud stated that the division was initiated by opposition leader Sussan Ley’s choice to accept the senators’ resignations. “She has placed the coalition in a position that is no longer sustainable,” Littleproud remarked during a press conference. “We clearly indicated that there would be repercussions, and if Sussan accepted those resignations, then the result would be that the coalition would be unsustainable.” It would find itself in a situation that could not be sustained. She recognized that.

Littleproud stated that his party had adhered to coalition rules and should not be compelled to endorse a particular stance.

Through a well-established partnership in both state and federal politics, the coalition has shared power within governments, with the Nationals largely advocating for the interests of rural communities while the Liberals focus on urban constituencies.

In May 2025, the two parties experienced a brief split due to differences in policy, particularly regarding renewable energy, after facing a significant defeat in a national election. However, they reunited just a week later.

The most recent division follows recent surveys indicating increasing backing for populist Senator Pauline Hanson’s anti-immigration One Nation party.

A recent poll conducted by The Australian newspaper has revealed that One Nation’s primary vote has surpassed that of the coalition, prompting analysts to suggest that a number of Liberal voters are shifting their support toward One Nation.