The Liberal National Party’s loss in the Queensland election has sparked demerger talk, while at a federal level it has emboldened the Nationals to take a more independent line.
Nationals cabinet minister Matt Canavan, who is a Queenslander, doesn’t agree that breaking up the LNP would solve any problems politically: “You can’t unscramble the egg”.
Despite being an opponent of a royal commission into the banks, Canavan says the government’s change of tune to support it demonstrates the strong ability of National backbenchers to push their agenda.