Nationals news, research and analysis - the conversation

May 28, 2025 Michelle Grattan, _University of Canberra_ As the Coalition re-forms, tensions are still running high in the Nationals. May 21, 2025 Michelle Grattan, _University of Canberra_

The Coalition split threatens to unseat two National senators at the next election. May 20, 2025 John Quiggin, _The University of Queensland_ Littleproud could not balance his party’s

competing views on energy policy while inking a deal with the Liberals. Instead, the party will go it alone. February 15, 2024 Michelle Grattan, _University of Canberra_ For the Liberals,

Morrison’s departure is a significant symbolic “moving on” moment. But how does the coalitions new talent stack up and what should be done with the old guard? October 27, 2022 Jamie Pittock,

_Australian National University_ In our land of drought and flooding rains, better water management should feature in every federal budget. The new budget delivers it – but not everyone is

happy. August 22, 2022 Michelle Grattan, _University of Canberra_ Barnaby Joyce was deputy prime minister when Morrison overruled Nationals resources minister Keith Pitt over the PEP-11 gas

exploration off the NSW coast. June 29, 2022 John Phillimore, _Curtin University_ How does democracy cope with a huge imbalance in parliament? May 30, 2022 Michelle Grattan, _University of

Canberra_ Barnaby Joyce rolled by party leadership spill, while Peter Dutton pledges to lead the Liberals with “policies squarely aimed at the forgotten Australians in the suburbs”. May 25,

2022 Erik Eklund, _Federation University Australia_ Two regional seats that straddle the NSW/Victorian border, Eden-Monaro and Gippsland, are geographically close. But these seats repeatedly

return very different election results. November 3, 2021 Judith Brett, _La Trobe University_ Anger has big advantages for a campaigning politician. Scott Morrison, the electoral strategist,

knows this. Albanese needs to learn, and fast. October 12, 2021 Geoff Cockfield, _University of Southern Queensland_ Nationals’ concerns about the effects on regional Australia are

legitimate, but greater forces in favour of a net-zero emissions target will likely push the policy over the line. July 11, 2021 Geoff Cockfield, _University of Southern Queensland_ Barnaby

Joyce’s pro-mining stance is at odds with the more progressive quarters of the party, and puts the Nationals in a difficult position on global carbon tariffs. June 22, 2021 Peter Christoff,

_The University of Melbourne_ At the end of the day, net-zero by 2050 is a risky and inadequate goal, especially for wealthy nations such as Australia. February 24, 2021 Michelle Grattan,

_University of Canberra_ With Craig Kelly’s jump to the crossbench, the government has an uncomfortable majority. September 11, 2020 Michelle Grattan, _University of Canberra_ The NSW

coalition remains intact, but no one can miss the crack that has been repaired by superglue. September 11, 2020 Tanya M Howard, _University of New England_ It’s in everyone’s interests to

ensure our environment stays healthy – including farmers. What did the Nats think they’d gain from this destructive game of brinkmanship? February 16, 2020 Chris Salisbury, _The University

of Queensland_ With a state election due in October, both Labor and the LNP in Queensland are on shaky ground. February 13, 2020 Geoff Cockfield, _University of Southern Queensland_ The

Nationals would do well to remember they have been able to wield considerable influence in Australian politics, thanks in large part to stable leadership maintaining harmony in the

Coalition. February 11, 2020 Michelle Grattan, _University of Canberra_ Addressing Tuesday’s Coalition party room, Morrison called for unity, reminding members they were not there as a team,

and declaring the government had a “contract” with the Australian people. February 6, 2020 Michelle Grattan, _University of Canberra_ Michael McCormack moves on from his near-death

experience CC BY31.3 MB (download) On this podcast, the Nationals leader defends his new frontbench line up against criticism it's short on women, mounts a strong pitch in favour of

coal, and rejects claims that he's a weak leader.