Unity Restored: Australia's Opposition Coalition Reunites After Controversial Split

Mon Feb 09 2026 01:07:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant political turnaround, Australia's Liberal-National Coalition has come together again following a contentious split over hate speech laws that arose after a tragic incident at Bondi Beach. Leaders emphasize a focus on the future.

After a split lasting over two weeks, Australia's main opposition Coalition, consisting of the Liberal and National parties, has reunited. The division was sparked by disagreements over new hate speech legislation introduced after a deadly attack on a Jewish festival. Leaders Sussan Ley and David Littleproud stress the need to move forward and address the challenges ahead as they face increasing pressure from rival parties.

Australia's Liberal-National Coalition, the country's main opposition, reunited on Sunday, more than two weeks after the centre-right partners split in a row over hate speech laws.

The Coalition is back together and looking to the future, not to the past, Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley said, appearing alongside National Party leader David Littleproud in Canberra.

The Coalition split on 22 January after the Nationals, citing free speech concerns, refused to back reforms moved by the government following a tragic attack at a Jewish festival in December that left 15 dead.

It's been disappointing, we've got to where we are but it was over a substantive issue, Littleproud expressed.

The Coalition now hopes to recover after suffering a heavy election loss last year, marking this split as the second in less than a year. The previous rift in May was more brief and focused on climate and energy policy.

This time, tensions were rooted in new hate speech laws released by the center-left Labor government post-Bondi Beach attack, which many deemed rushed and threatening to free speech.

Additionally, while the Liberals supported the government's stance, the Nationals abstained from the vote in the lower house and opposed the measures in the Senate.

Ley stated that their mission moving forward is critical, stressing, I acknowledge this has been a difficult time. It has been a difficult time for millions of our Coalition supporters, and many other Australians who rely on our two great parties to provide scrutiny and leadership.

A notable agreement has been struck ensuring neither party could unilaterally alter decisions made by the Coalition's joint shadow cabinet.

This Coalition dates back to the 1940s and had not experienced a split since 1987 before the brief division last year.

The National Party, known for representing regional communities, generally leans more conservative compared to the Liberals. Meanwhile, in the backdrop, they face challenges from populist movements such as Pauline Hanson's anti-immigration One Nation party, which is gaining traction in polls.