NATIONALS leader David Littleproud has announced the party has split from its Coalition agreement with the Liberals after not being able to come to a deal with Liberal leader Sussan Ley.

The Nationals have been in negotiations with the new Liberal leadership in recent days calling for a series of measures, including commitments to nuclear energy and changes to the Universal Service Obligation on communications.

“During the last term of Parliament, The Nationals fought hard for a package of sensible and important policies that will benefit regional Australia and the future of our nation,” Mr Littleproud said.

“These were adopted as Coalition policies and were strongly supported by local communities.

“Following discussions with the Leader of the Liberal Party, we do not have the assurance we need that these policies will be honoured in a future Coalition agreement,” he said.

“The Nationals cannot in good conscience walk away from our commitments to regional Australia.”

The Coalition agreement was formed in 1923 and over the past century has only been breached three times, according to Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie.

Door still open on Coalition agreement

While the National Party retained its seats at the last election, there has been a lot of commentary suggesting National Party policy was losing Liberal seats in inner city areas. An assessment Mr Littleproud refuted.

“I never a saw a billboard or a piece of material attacking me or the National Party at the last election,” he said.

Most of the commentary in the press conference with Mr Littleproud, Senator Bridget McKenzie and MP Kevin Hogan was leaving the door open to a Coalition agreement.

“I actually think it is conceivable that Sussan Ley can win the next election,” Mr Littleproud said.

“But there are so many forces within her party, that she needs to have that environment to be able to rectify it and set them on a pathway.

“The commitment I gave to Sussan Ley was that I am still there, but you need the time and space to know who you are and what you want to be. I intend to make sure our party works constructively, but for the betterment of a Coalition going forward it is time to have a break.”

Live exports a line not to be crossed

Mr Littleproud was asked about the prospects of the Liberal party supporting a ban on live animal exports. He said the Nationals would not be in a Coalition that supported banning live exports.

“We would not be part of any Coalition that banned the live export of animals out of this country, that is a hard line we would not cross,” Mr Littleproud said.

Kennedy MP Bob Katter said the Nationals had not fighting hard enough against the prospect of banning live export.

“The newly elected Liberals leader, Sussan Ley, led the charge to ban live sheep export – overnight destroying the livelihoods of many hard-working rural families.

“Littleproud has got very little to be proud of for not even fighting this in the slightest, but rather standing behind wiping the tears from his eyes,” he said.

“Don’t be fooled – cattle will be next.

“They are no friend to the farmer,” Mr Katter said.

“For many years the policy lines between the ALP, LNP, Liberals and Nationals have been blurred, marred by political infighting rather than genuine and meaty debates on the direction that our once great nation is taking.”

Sussan Ley could not be contacted for comment.