Northern Territory Country Liberal Party speaks out after Coalition split

The Northern Territory branch of the coalition has spoken out after the shock split between the federal Liberal and National parties.

The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party says the federal Coalition split will not impact its operations or commitment to the NT.

On Tuesday Nationals leader David Littleproud announced that his party had formally split with the Liberal Party, breaking up the federal Coalition for the first time in four decades.

The NT CLP is one of only two merged Coalition parties at the state level, along with the Liberal National Party in Queensland.

Since the 70s, the CLP has had its senator sit with the Nationals, and its MP sit with the Liberals – adding to the shock when Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price recently defected to the Liberals in a failed bid to become deputy leader.

CLP president Natasha Griggs. Pic: Nathan Edwards

In a statement CLP president Natasha Griggs acknowledged the Nationals’ decision not to enter a formal federal Coalition agreement with the Liberal Party at this time.

“The CLP is an independent political party with longstanding arrangements with both the Liberal and National parties,” she said.

“We maintain our own identity and policy priorities, focused on delivering strong outcomes for Territorians.

“This decision by The Nationals does not impact our operations, direction, or commitments. We continue to work constructively with our federal counterparts to advocate for the needs of the Northern Territory, particularly in regional and remote communities.

“The CLP remains firmly committed to standing up for the Territory. Our independence allows us to focus on what matters most to Territorians, while continuing to work alongside our federal colleagues to deliver results.”

Originally published as Northern Territory Country Liberal Party speaks out after Coalition split