Daily London
The Nationals ruptured with the Liberals for the second time in just months over the government’s hate speech and gun control laws that passed parliament last week.
Appearing on Today, Ley said the Liberals had stood firm on their principles, including shadow cabinet solidarity.
“My focus is always on making sure we hold the government to account,” she said.
“I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, the Coalition is stronger together.”
She said the parties had a responsibility to work together “constructively, calmly” and claimed there was respect between MPs still.
“The door is open, from my point of view, but I’m not looking at the door,” she said.
She also dismissed suggestions her leadership was under threat, saying that the Coalition had “improved” the government’s laws.
“I have led, and with respect, we’ve had genuine wins, with all of the things that we’ve done so far,” she said.
“I am absolutely confident in the leadership that I have delivered, the leadership I will deliver, and the strength of effort that my party and I are making every single day.”
Rumoured leadership contestants Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor were “strong, committed members of my team”, Ley said.
Littleproud told Today it was Ley who “broke the Coalition” by accepting the resignations of shadow frontbenchers who refused to support the government’s bill.
He also claimed the usual processes of party-room disagreements weren’t followed.
“We are allowed, as a party, to have the courage of our conviction to stand up for ourselves,” he said.
And while the Liberals and Nationals were aligned on many things, he said, “there’s this perception the Coalition is one party, and it’s not”.
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said the party had proposed “reasonable amendments” to the government’s laws that were knocked back by the leadership.
”My crime, if there is one, is doing my job as a parliamentarian,” he said.
“I mean, what are we there for, but to make sure the laws that are passed in this country are the best for the people of Australia.”
He said Littleproud was doing an excellent job as party leader and that ordinary Australians didn’t care about “drama queens” in politics.
