Labor’s unexpected huge win on May 3 has exploded the federal coalition creating a fracture between the National and Liberal parties over key policy disagreements.
The move raised questions about Nationals leader David Littleproud MP’s leadership who defended the decision saying the Nationals acted on “principle” when a majority of the party room voted to split from the Coalition.
“This was a principled decision that the men and women of my party room made,” he told Sky News. “I’m proud of them … proud of the fact that we got an outcome in two or three days because of principles over politics,” he said, highlighting the impact these issues have had on both farmers and consumers.
In response, Liberal leader Sussan Ley MP made a phone hook-up with her party on Thursday (date) when Liberal MPs agreed “in principle” to the Nationals’ policy demands, opening the door to a possible Coalition reunion.
But not all Liberal MPs expressed support. One described the Nationals’ tactics as “unusual” and inappropriate; another said the episode had left “much less goodwill” towards their Coalition partner. One senior Liberal said Littleproud had “shredded” his leadership and warned that trust between the two parties had been seriously damaged.
Sally Sitou Election Night Party
Labor supporters at the Sally Sitou MP election night party at the Wentworth Hotel in Strathfield did not anticipate the significant shift in seats to the Labor government.
Strathfield state MP Jason Yat-sen Li and Burwood Council Mayor John Faker were guests in marking Sitou’s second term in federal parliament.
Only two hours after the party kicked off, the room erupted in cheers and applause following the announcement of Labor’s victory and its return to government.
Sally Sitou and Jason Yat-sen Li with Labor supporters. Photo: Oliver Wen
At 8:40 PM, the supporters gathered to welcome Sitou for her victory speech.
Coincidentally accompanying her entrance was breaking news that Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had lost his Queensland seat of Dickson, prompting the crowd to erupt into even louder cheers.
“The victory says that we have the best democracy in Australia, and our elections are the best in the world,” Sitou said. “The people of Reid have said they want a Labor government.”
She told her assembled supporters and campaign workers the people had elected “[a government] that is going to strengthen education and strengthen Medicare. And that is why all the work that you have put in over three years has made such a difference.”
Sally Sitou speech with Mayor John Faker and Jason Yetsun-Li. Photo: Oliver Wen
In her speech, Sitou MP thanked multicultural volunteers, with a special mention to the Chinese Australian community.
The reelected MP condemned a recent video clip of Liberal Senator Jane Hume, in which Hume referred to alleged “Chinese spies” volunteering for Labor candidate Clare O’Neil, calling the remarks “disgraceful” and “deeply disrespectful”.
Jason Yat-Sen Li MP speaking to journalist
Strathfield MP Jason Yat-Sen Li also criticised the remark, calling them “so bad and dangerous on many levels”.
“Firstly, it’s clearly racist. But more importantly, it completely undermines the democratic rights of Chinese Australians, who have been here for over 200 years,” Li told a student reporter.
“We have just as much right to participate in our democracy. Calling us spies is deeply offensive and damaging.”
Asked about his reaction to the election results, Li drew parallels to political developments overseas.
“It’s similar to what we saw in Canada. Conservatives got caught up in the Trump momentum, thinking they could apply that same brand of politics here.
“But just like in Canada, it didn’t work. What happened today in Australia is a fundamental repudiation of Trump-style politics. It’s very reassuring, and we’re thrilled.”
Commenting on Mr Dutton’s incorrect response about a dozen eggs’ price, Li added: “The fact that he couldn’t even get the price right just shows how out of touch he is. It’s ironic, considering he claims to represent everyday Australians.”
Mayor John Faker speaking to journalist Photo: Mingyue Yao
Burwood Council Mayor John Faker also shared his thoughts on the election outcome and Labor’s policy direction.
Asked if there were any differences between this and the last election, he said: “I think people had the opportunity to see both sides of politics…they realised that the Liberal party was just running a campaign.
“Labor cares about where they live, they care about their community, and they really want people to talk to them about the future and having positive policies.
“The Liberals did not offer that, and the Labor Party did. And that’s why we’re seeing this.”
