Former Groom MPs John McVeigh, Ian Macfarlane react to Coalition split as Nationals, Liberals part ways

Garth Hamilton has urged Liberals leader Sussan Ley and her Nationals colleague David Littleproud to sort out of a new coalition deal after the two parties ended their decades-long allegiance. Read the fallout here:

Groom MP Garth Hamilton has urged the Liberals and Nationals to “sort out” their differences following the collapse of the federal Coalition this week, as former members believed the parties had a “lot of soul-searching” to do after its trouncing at the election.

In potentially the most turbulent period for Australian conservative politics since the late 1980s, Nationals leader David Littleproud revealed on Tuesday his party would split from the Sussan Ley-led Liberals for the new term of parliament.

It follows the now ex-Coalition’s disastrous election performance on May 3, which saw Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party win a second term in a 93-seat landslide.

In contrast, the Liberals, Nationals and LNP (in Queensland) make up just 43 of the 150 seats in the lower house after the thumping result.

Groom MP Garth Hamilton outside pre-poll voting at The Annex, Friday, May 2, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Hamilton, who was returned to the now-marginal Toowoomba seat after defeating independent Suzie Holt, said Ms Ley and Mr Littleproud needed to come to a new arrangement as soon as possible.

“My only message is for both leaders to sort it out — we just went to the election, the Australian people want more from us, so we need to sort it out.

“I want the thing resolved — what’s most important we get a coalition together to hold the government to account.”

Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie said perceived policy differences on divestiture powers for supermarkets and nuclear energy were among the reasons for the decision.

Liberal-aligned Mr Hamilton, was an advocate of both policies during the previous term, ruled out any change to his allegiance.

“It’s not where my thoughts are,” he said.

While this isn’t the first time the two parties have split for any period, the announcement could have implications in Queensland as the LNP is one entity.

His predecessor John McVeigh said the end of the Coalition would be temporary, believing it was a necessary step for both parties as they grappled with the election result.

“It’s probably a surprise for many people, but I would think understandable given the election outcome — both Sussan and David have got a lot of soul-searching to do following the election loss,” he said.

“The most dramatic time in Coalition discussions that many older people would have was during the ‘Joh for PM’ campaign in 1987 (when the Nationals’ 12 Queensland MPs split).

“David is saying there’s no ill feeling, so the announcement is nowhere near as traumatic, nonetheless … it will be an interesting dynamic.

“My prediction is there will be a coalition agreement again before the next election, following the current period.”

Mr McVeigh said the split was unlikely to impact the arrangement on a state level, where the unified LNP determines which party rooms its federal members sit.

“Garth, like other conservative members of the federal parliament from Queensland is a member of the LNP, so he and all of his colleagues are not members of either,” he said.

“In theory, there’s no impact on the LNP but it will be interesting to watch what will happen.”

Former Groom MP Ian Macfarlane

Fellow ex-Groom member Ian Macfarlane, who was famously blocked from switching to the Nationals by the LNP executive in 2015, said he believed both parties needed time to reshape their respective priorities and policy backgrounds.

“The Liberal Party has got a lot to reflect on, and over the next three years it means they can return the centre-right position and the Nationals can address the concerns of their constituents,” he said.

“It is not something that hasn’t happened before, (so) they’ll work quite closely together over the next three years I believe.

“To quote (former Liberal prime minister) John Howard, there are more things that unite us than divide us so I’m certainly not overly concerned.

“I know Sussan and David well, they’re both good people and I’m sure they’ll manage the relationship going forward for the benefit of both parties.

“The cake is there for the making, we’ve just got to make sure we make it properly.”