Readers have say on historic post-election federal LNP split

Fallout from the historic LNP coalition split in the wake of the parties’ epic federal election failure has divided readers, leaving them split on whether it is a boon or a ‘political desert’. VOTE IN THE POLL

Fallout from the historic LNP coalition split in the wake of the parties’ epic federal election failure has divided Wide Bay readers too, who say the move could be a boon or leave both in the “political desert”. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Fallout from the historic LNP coalition split in the wake of the parties’ epic federal election failure has divided Wide Bay readers too, who say the move could be a boon or leave both in the ‘political desert’.

The breakdown of the partnership was announced Tuesday following five days of negotiations over party policy.

The last time the parties split was 1987, when they stayed separated for 100 days.

Former LNP Prime Minister John Howard is among those who have urged the parties to sort their differences and reconcile fast, before the gap between them becomes impossibly wide.

He was not alone in the view, either.

UniSC senior political lecturer Dr Shannon Brincat said in a statement Wednesday the coalition risks “political suicide” by staying apart.

It was therefore “highly likely – nearly certain – that the Liberal and National parties will come together before the next election”, Mr Brincat said.

Fallout from the historic LNP coalition split in the wake of the parties’ epic federal election failure has divided Wide Bay readers too, who say the move could be a boon or leave both in the “political desert”. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Wide Bay’s readers are less convinced of the urgency with some saying the break-up will benefit the parties, especially the Nationals.

More than 300 comments were left on the Wide Bay mastheads’ Facebook pages in less than 24 hours in response to a question on whether readers agreed with the National Party pulling the plug on the deal.

Peter Jobstreibitzer supported the move “because it looks like the Liberals are going to continue to back down on their policies, just like they did during the election campaign a real sign of weak leadership”.

“The Nationals are sticking with their existing policies and believe that in the next three years they can make a strong case for them,” Mr Jobstreibitzer said.

Greg Davis said he hoped the split would let “the Nationals get back to grassroots and start representing the people in the country” as the party had been “liberal puppets for years”.

The breakdown of the partnership was announced Tuesday following five days of negotiations over party policy in the wake of the LNP’s defeat by Labor and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the May election. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Nathan Buckley said the Nationals would “finally … act in the best interests of their voter base” and “refocus on mining, resources, farming, agriculture, coal and gas for the benefit of all Australians”.

“Put an end to net zero garbage,” he said.

William Hamblin said it would help Labor “it does create two opportunities” which may harm the Liberal Party more.

“Firstly it will (allow) the opportunity for Teals to take more Liberal seats,” Mr Hamblin said.

“Secondly, it will permit the Nationals to advocate more directly for rural electors.

“The problem is that the Nationals are anything but united.

“They risk self destruction if they can’t coalesce around some basic policies.”

Wayne Chalk on the other hand said the pair would “kiss and make up because they can’t survive without each other”.

“It’s like a bad marriage that stay together because they are co-dependent,” Mr Chalk said.
David Thuell shared this view.

“They will rejoin by the next election because they need each other to win if stay separated both cannot win next election day each party will have to fight over seats,” Mr Thuell said.

However the existence of the LNP as a political party in Queensland, but not federally, put Hinkler LNP David Batt the position of sitting “in the Nationals Party room but remain(ing) a member of the Queensland LNP team”.

Then was a third group who could not care less.

Gert Fogger said “both parties are … useless, couldn’t run a lemonade stand how fortunate we are to have an economical talented and stable Labor government in charge”.

Rod Dixon said he did not care what the two parties future was but it “ reinforces my belief that the decision by the people of Australia made the right choice (in electing Labor)”.

Robert Weales gave a succinct view on the split: “What a bloody rabble these two are!”

Newly elected first term Hinkler MP David Batt said the break-up would not affect his effort to represent his electorate.

However the existence of the LNP as a political party in Queensland, but not federally, put him the position of sitting “in the Nationals Party room but remain(ing) a member of the Queensland LNP team”.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Have your say below