WA Federal Liberals Andrew Hastie, Michaelia Cash in push to reunite with Nationals

WA Federal Liberals Andrew Hastie and Michaelia Cash have warned the Nationals that the only way back to government is through a Coalition — not by the conservatives going their separate ways.

At the end of a tumultuous week in which Nationals leader David Littleproud refused to continue a long-standing arrangement in Canberra where the Liberals and Nationals had a Coalition agreement — both in opposition and in government — Liberals are hoping for a reconciliation in coming days.

“What I want to see delivered to the Australian people is competent, centre right government,” Mr Hastie, the member for Canning, on Saturday said.

“And the question is: Can the Libs do that on their own?

“No they can’t.

“We have to do it as part of a Coalition with the Nats.

“A pre-condition of winning government, is forming a Coalition with the National Party.

“We can’t afford to waste resources fighting each other in three-corner contests.”

Part of the conditions of Mr Littleproud agreeing to re-enter a Coalition are the Liberals agreeing to adopt policies embracing nuclear power and committing to a $20 billion regional Australia fund.

WA Liberal senator Michaelia Cash implored the Nationals to re-enter a Coalition agreement.

“I am a strong coalitionist,” she said.

“It was very disappointing I thought when David Littleproud did walk away from the Coalition.

“I think the work that (Opposition leader) Sussan Ley has undertaken over the past few days to bring us back together has been outstanding.

“We (Liberals and Nationals) are stronger together.

“The enemy is Labor. It’s a simple as that.”