Senior Liberals fear Coalition split may damage party for years but others see silver lining

Reforming with Nationals could be very difficult once deep policy divergences set in and are openly debated, say MPs

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Senior Liberals warn the Nationals’ decision to quit the Coalition could damage the Liberal party for years to come, while others welcome a chance to refocus on urban voters after a devastating election loss.

The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, made the shock announcement to formally split with the Liberals on Tuesday afternoon, breaking up the Coalition for the first time since the 1980s.

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