Coalition crisis: Ley wields whip against Nationals

On 21 January 2026 a crisis erupted in Australia’s federal parliament when all Nationals front‑benchers—including leader David Littleproud—walked out and offered to resign from the shadow ministry. The move followed Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s insistence that the three Nationals senators—Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald—retrieve the whip after they voted against the government’s hate‑crime bill, which the Liberal‑led coalition passed the night before. Ley accepted their resignations, citing "shadow cabinet solidarity", but declared that any remaining caucus members would remain within the coalition. The shake‑up risked unraveling the coalition that had re‑formed after last year’s split, putting Ley’s leadership under fresh scrutiny. Former PM John Howard backed Ley, saying she had "no choice".