Nationals leader David Littleproud says his party is not a faction of the Liberals as talks continue over repairing the Coalition split.
Nationals leader David Littleproud has pushed back against suggestions his party should fall into line with the Liberals as negotiations continue over whether the Coalition can reunite.
The comments come after opposition leader Sussan Ley wrote to the Nationals setting conditions for reforming the Coalition, including strict shadow cabinet solidarity and ongoing punishment for three MPs who crossed the floor on Labor’s hate speech laws.
Speaking on Sky News, Littleproud said he would not “rule anything in or out” but criticised the decision to air the terms publicly.
He said discussions should occur behind closed doors and argued it was disrespectful to both parties for negotiations to be conducted through the media.
Littleproud said the Coalition split was triggered by a lack of proper Nationals party room consultation before the hate speech legislation was debated.
He rejected the idea that the Nationals should be subordinate to the Liberals, saying the Coalition was not a single party.
Littleproud said the Nationals had distinct values and principles and were elected to express those views, even when they differed from Liberal Party positions.
Another meeting between the two leaders is expected later today.
