Nationals leader David Littleproud says his party will take a considered approach as it weighs whether there is a pathway back to the Coalition.
Mr Littleproud on Wednesday softened his stance on a possible return to the Coalition after previously saying the Nationals would not serve under Liberal leader Sussan Ley.
Speaking on the Today program, Mr Littleproud said the Nationals would be “adults” as discussions continued within the party room about next steps.
He said his earlier comments were conditional and centred on the status of three Nationals senators. “No, I said we couldn’t work with Sussan unless our three [senators] were reinstated,” he said.
Mr Littleproud said the party would deliberate collectively and determine whether there was a viable pathway back. “We’re going to be adults, we’re going to be considered and deliberations as a room, and we’ll hopefully get to a juncture where we can get back,” he said.
He rejected comparisons made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese likening the dispute between the Liberals and Nationals to reality television. Mr Littleproud said the decision was a “principled position” taken by the Nationals party room and described the matter as “serious business”.
