Liberal MP Tim Wilson says the Nationals must commit to shadow cabinet solidarity if they want to rejoin the Coalition.
Mr Wilson made the comments after Nationals MP Darren Chester spoke on ABC RN Breakfast, amid ongoing tensions between the Coalition partners following a Senate vote that breached frontbench rules.
Speaking on RN Breakfast, Mr Wilson said there was a strong and broadly held expectation within the Liberal Party that shadow cabinet solidarity be respected. He said shadow cabinet decisions must be honoured once agreed, describing this as a core principle of frontbench responsibility.
Shadow cabinet solidarity requires frontbenchers to publicly support agreed positions and not cross the floor against them. The issue has come into focus after three Nationals senators voted against a position adopted by the opposition’s shadow cabinet.
Asked whether he was angry about the senators’ actions, Mr Wilson said he was “disappointed”, adding that this view was widely shared among shadow cabinet members and Liberal MPs.
Mr Wilson was also asked about speculation surrounding Liberal leadership tensions, with a challenge from MP Angus Taylor reportedly looming. He said he was confident that Sussan Ley would remain leader at the end of the week.
