Australia's Liberal-National opposition coalition has split because of a nuclear energy disagreement, leaving the ruling Labor Party in a stronger position to push through its renewable energy agenda and possibly ushering in a period of energy policy stability.
The Nationals leader David Littleproud announced the split at a press conference at parliament house on 20 May. He said the parties are no longer aligned on nuclear forming part of the energy grid and its proposed A$20bn ($12.8bn) future fund for regional Australia. The Liberal party did not confirm whether it would support nuclear energy or the future fund, Littleproud added.
Australia's opposition coalition — comprising of the right-leaning National and Liberal parties — has separated after an 80-year alliance, further affirming the Labor government's majority after its landslide win on 3 May.
Neither the Liberal nor the National party is likely to form government in the future without each other's support, so the split hands more power to the Labor party to pursue its energy transition policies and could allow the Liberal party to move towards the middle of the political spectrum.
It could also see the Labor and Liberal parties forming a consensus, after many years of disagreement on energy policy as well as resources and energy tax regimes.
The Liberal party needs time to "reinvent" themselves after their massive loss, he added. The party lost 15 seats in the House of Representatives in the last election, while the Nationals lost just one.
Littleproud said he will work with the Liberal party leader Sussan Ley to rebuild their relationship and potentially reform a coalition before the next election. "We will be pragmatic and work constructively with Sussan Ley and her team to bring down the Albanese government after next election," he said.
