The three Nationals senators who defied the shadow cabinet to oppose Labor’s hate speech laws would be forced to sit on the backbench for six months under Sussan Ley’s offer to the Nationals to reunite the Coalition.
The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, said the country party would “take our time” to consider the Liberals’ proposal, leaving a potential reunion of the two parties hanging in the balance at the start of a new sitting fortnight in Canberra.
But Guardian Australia understands some Nationals MPs have taken a dim view of the offer and are unlikely to endorse it.
The Nationals have until 9 February to reunite with the Liberals before Ley proceeds with the permanent Liberal-only frontbench that would formalise the Coalition split.
Ley briefed Liberal MPs on the terms of a potential peace deal with the Nationals after what she described as “friendly” and “constructive” talks with Littleproud on Monday night.
The opposition leader did not face a snap leadership spill at Tuesday’s meeting as conservative rival Angus Taylor bides his time before mounting a challenge.
Speaking outside the traditional church service to mark parliament’s return, Ley expressed confidence she would survive until at least the federal budget in May.
Ley and Littleproud met on Monday night but could not reach an agreement on reforming the Coalition after last month’s split, meaning the two parties sat separately when parliament resumed on Tuesday.
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The major sticking point is the Nationals’ insistence that the three senators who crossed the floor on Labor’s hate speech laws – Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald – are reinstated on the frontbench.
Ley’s decision to accept the resignation of the three senators prompted the Nationals to walk out of the shadow ministry, triggering the second breakup of the Coalition in eight months.
Littleproud initially claimed the Coalition was “untenable” under Ley’s leadership but has softened his language since, opening the door to a reunion.
Guardian Australia has confirmed that under Ley’s offer to Littleproud, the three senators would not be able to rejoin the shadow cabinet for six months.
The suspension expires in July 2026.
The Nationals would be able to choose which of their MPs replaced the suspended trio in the shadow cabinet.
Under the deal, both parties would adhere to shadow cabinet solidarity and neither party would have the ability to overturn a decision made by shadow cabinet.
The conditions are red lines for Ley.
The Liberals also want to regain the assistant Treasury portfolio, which was handed to the Nationals after the 2025 federal election. The skills portfolio could be offered in exchange.
Ley has extended the olive branch despite reservations from some colleagues, including many moderate Liberals, about jumping back into coalition with the Nationals.
The Liberal frontbencher and leading moderate Andrew Bragg said if the Nationals rejected the deal then the party should “move on”.
“I do think that it is in the nation’s interest that we get together. But if we can’t find a reliable partner then you can’t wish for things that aren’t true,” he told ABC’s Afternoon Briefing.
“We all like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, but they are not necessarily true.”
The Nationals party room met on Tuesday morning to consider the offer. “We will take our time to consider the details,” Littleproud said in a statement.
“The Nationals are united in our endeavours to reset the Coalition, but we won’t be providing updates on any negotiations through the media.
“The negotiations are ongoing and we will always be constructive and act in good faith. It’s important we take the time to get the settings right.”
The opposition leader last week gave the Nationals a 10-day window to reunite the Coalition before the Liberals proceeded as the sole opposition party.
Ley has appointed an interim Liberals-only frontbench, with existing shadow ministers temporarily filling the Nationals’ portfolios, but intends to make it permanent if the parties are not back together before the start of next week’s parliamentary sitting on 9 February.
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