Opposition leader Sussan Ley has proposed sidelining three Nationals senators for six months as part of talks to reunite the Coalition.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley has proposed that three Nationals senators who crossed the floor on Labor’s hate speech laws remain on the backbench for six months under a deal to reunite the Coalition.
Ley briefed Liberal MPs on the proposed terms after talks with Nationals leader David Littleproud on Monday night, as the two parties attempt to repair relations following last month’s Coalition split.
Under the proposal, the three senators would be barred from returning to the shadow cabinet until July 2026. The Nationals would be allowed to nominate which of their MPs replace them in the interim.
Guardian Australia has confirmed the offer also includes a commitment by both parties to adhere to shadow cabinet solidarity, with neither side able to overturn decisions once agreed.
Ley did not face a snap leadership spill at a Liberal party room meeting on Tuesday, with conservative rival Angus Taylor declining to move immediately against her leadership.
Despite the talks, Ley and Littleproud failed to reach agreement on broader Coalition reforms, meaning the Liberals and Nationals will sit separately when parliament resumes later on Tuesday.
As part of the negotiations, the Liberals are seeking to regain the assistant Treasury portfolio, which was allocated to the Nationals after the 2025 federal election. The skills portfolio has been floated as a possible trade-off.
The Nationals party room is scheduled to meet on Tuesday morning to consider the offer.
