James Paterson says Coalition split was 'disappointing'
Shadow Home Affairs and Cyber Security Minister James Paterson has weighed in on the Coalition break-up, admitting he was “surprised and disappointed” by the Nationals’ decision to split.
The National Party announced its decision not to form a new Coalition agreement with the Liberal Party on Tuesday, in a shock update which marked the first time the parties had split in decades.
“I was surprised and disappointed when I heard the news yesterday, particularly because I think that the four policy issues identified by David Littleproud and his national colleagues are not insurmountable issues,” Mr Paterson told Sky News Australia.
“I don’t think that the Liberal Party and the National Party are that far apart ideologically.
“Of course, we have some differences from time to time, but I believe had we been allowed to follow the proper process and had we been given reasonable time, we could have come to a mutually agreeable landing on all of those issues between the Liberal Party room and the National Party room.
“I am still hopeful that we’ll be able to do that in this term. I do not think we should head to the next election without having reached a coalition agreement.”
