Duniam on Hate Speech Law Frenzy, Coalition Rift
Last week, the Coalition fell apart for the second time since the last federal election - which was just eight months ago.
Both the Liberals and Nationals are in crisis. Sussan Ley's leadership of the Opposition now appears to be terminal. And Nationals MP Colin Boyce today declared he would call for a spill of that party's leadership next week.
Only weeks ago, it was the Albanese government with its back against the wall, after extensive criticism of its handling of the aftermath of the December 14 Bondi massacre.
But after Parliament returned early to pass restrictions on guns and take further measures against hate speech and organisations promoting hate, it ended up splitting the Liberals and their former Coalition partners, the Nationals.
Liberal Senator Jonathon (Jonno) Duniam , the shadow minister for home affairs, was one of the key players in last week's events. He joins us today to discuss whether the Liberals will end up facing off against the Nationals at the next election, a surge in public support for One Nation and more.
On vocal concerns that new hate speech laws would limit freedom of speech, Duniam says the bill now has adequate safeguards - and blames "social media influencers" who had "whipped up a frenzy" of misinformation.
On the Coalition split, Duniam says he would like it to be re-formed, but at the moment it's "impossible".
Duniam said Boyce's new push to spill the Nationals leadership "could indeed change things" - but "we don't need to rush back into Coalition", even if that meant Liberals and Nationals running against each other at the next election.
On the rise of One Nation in recent polls, Duniam acknowledges there's more the Liberals could do to win back voters.
On bridging the ideological gulf between the Liberal Party's moderates and conservatives, Duniam says that divide is not as great as people make out.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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