Senior Liberal senator Anne Ruston says the Liberal Party is capable of winning a federal election without the Nationals, as tensions continue over the future of the Coalition.
Speaking on Sky News on Sunday, Ruston described herself as a “coalitionist” but said history showed the Liberals could govern alone if required.
Asked directly whether the party could win as a standalone force, Ruston said it had happened before and warned political circumstances can change rapidly.
She said the immediate priority for the opposition was providing stability and certainty to voters by presenting a credible alternative government.
Ruston also strongly backed Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, praising her performance during what she described as one of the most difficult periods in recent parliamentary history.
She said leadership in opposition was always challenging and rejected suggestions that internal pressures were unusual or destabilising.
