Break-up over: Nationals and Liberals sign new coalition agreement

A rupture between Australia’s largest conservative parties is over, with a new coalition agreement signed on Wednesday.

The Nationals and Liberal parties have signed a new coalition agreement, ending a dramatic eight-day split.

Nationals leader David Littleproud met with his Liberal counterpart Sussan Ley on Wednesday morning to formally rejoin the two conservative parties.

“I had a brief meeting with Sussan Ley and she made an offer. This is a positive step forward, (it) would be productive and constructive,” Mr Littleproud said.

Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud met on Wednesday to sign a new agreement. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The parties’ reconciliation follows a turbulent week of infighting within the Nationals over whether their break with the Liberals was overreach and Mr Littleproud was too rash in his announcement to decline a new coalition agreement last week, as well as whether the party’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 should be reviewed.

A number of prominent Nationals MPs have spoken out about whether the discussions with Ms Ley could have been held behind closed doors and saved the parties from a week of negative attention focused on internal politics, particularly when parts of Australia are in the midst of devastating floods and drought conditions.

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has been particularly vocal in his lack of support for Mr Littleproud, publicly backing fellow former leader and one-time political opponent Michael McCormack to challenge for the top job.

Victorian Nationals Darren Chester and Sam Birrell have denied there was a push underway to oust Mr Littleproud.