December 7, 2020
Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has rejoined the Nationals Party Room in Canberra after walking away from the group in February.
The move, which political pundits have suggested could refresh leadership tensions in The Nationals, coincides with a tipped reshuffle of Coalition Cabinet roles before Christmas.
However, Mr O’Brien has told Fairfax media his return was not about destabilising the party but was due to upcoming “massive policy fights” with the Opposition and the Liberal Party.
“I don’t think I need to apologise for anything. I said what I said and was up front about it. I am actually rejoining my colleagues so we can fight for the best interests of Australians,” he was reported as saying.
Mr O’Brien told southburnett.com.au that over the course of the past 10 months, Nationals Deputy Leader David Littleproud and other Nationals stalwarts including former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, former Resources Minister Matt Canavan, and former Assistant Minister David Gillespie, had repeatedly urged him to return to the party room.
“There are important policy challenges that are confronting our nation and these are core to the Nationals constituency. I have been invited to work on these in collaboration with the Nationals team,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Energy, agriculture, regional development, resources – all are important policy areas and are the great wealth generators for our nation. They are also important for jobs and the economy, businesses and households, in our electorates.”
Further, under the terms of the Coalition Agreement, Mr O’Brien has continued to be included in the quota calculation for Nationals Party front bench positions.
“The Nationals front bench team holds important portfolios and I together with my colleagues, will contribute to sound policy development to benefit our constituents, create jobs and strengthen the economy, to grow regional Australia,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I have enjoyed a strong relationship and the support of the Prime Minister and his office this year and will continue to do so.”
Mr O’Brien quit The Nationals Party Room after moving a failed spill motion against Nationals leader Michael McCormack on February 4.
After Mr McCormack fended off the challenge by Barnaby Joyce, Mr O’Brien decided to sit in neither The Nationals Party Room nor the Liberal Party Room.
However, he remained a member of the Joint Party Room and a member of the LNP.
Days later, Mr O’Brien was elected Deputy Speaker of the House beating the Coalition’s endorsed candidate.
Mr O’Brien was nominated by the Labor Party in a move widely seen as a cynical attempt by the Opposition to fuel the dissent within The Nationals.
Related articles:
