Shadow Cabinet Resignations
Australians deserve moral clarity when confronting antisemitism, hate and extremism, and the Albanese Government has failed to provide it. Instead of careful, considered lawmaking, it put forward deeply flawed legislation.
The Coalition engaged constructively and in good faith. The Shadow Cabinet met on Sunday night, examined the legislation, and unanimously agreed on a clear path forward in the national interest.
The unanimous Shadow Cabinet decision was to negotiate specific fixes with the government and having secured those amendments, members of the Shadow Cabinet were bound not to vote against the legislation.
Those fixes narrowed the scope of the bill, to ensure Islamist extremists could be more easily deported and neo Nazi groups readily disbanded.
I acknowledge this was a difficult issue for the Nationals’ party room and that they had three different positions across both houses of the Parliament. Some members voted against the legislation, another voted for it and several took a deliberate decision to abstain.
When the Coalition reformed in May last year, the foundational principle underpinning that agreement was a commitment to Shadow Cabinet solidarity.
Yesterday, in several conversations, I made it clear to David Littleproud that members of the Shadow Cabinet could not vote against the Shadow Cabinet position. The Shadow Cabinet was unanimous in its endorsement to support this Bill subject to several amendments that we did then secure. This has been acknowledged by Nationals’ Senators this morning.
Last night, three Nationals senators were unable to maintain that Shadow Cabinet solidarity. This is an unfortunate circumstance and one that requires action. I thank David for understanding this.
Senator Bridget McKenzie, Senator Susan McDonald and Senator Ross Cadell have each offered their resignations from the Shadow Cabinet, as is appropriate, and I have accepted them.
All three Senators have written to me confirming that they “remain ready to continue serving the Coalition in whatever capacity you consider appropriate…”
I have asked each to continue serving in our Coalition team, across their various parliamentary and committee duties, but from outside the Shadow Cabinet.
I have also asked the Leader of the Nationals to provide three new nominees for appointment to the Shadow Cabinet and I await his advice.
Maintaining a strong and functioning Coalition is in the national interest. The Coalition exists to serve the Australian people. But Shadow Cabinet solidarity is not optional. It is the foundation of serious opposition and credible government.
I am proud of the Liberal Party I lead and my Shadow Cabinet team. We took a decision, in the national interest, to step up and fix legislation that the Albanese Government badly mishandled.
The Liberal Party will always strongly defend freedom of thought, freedom of worship and freedom of speech.
https://www.liberal.org.au/2026/01/21/shadow-cabinet-resignations
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