Coalition tensions flare over EU trade deal and AI policy
Liberals and Nationals clashed this week over an EU trade deal and AI copyright rules.
Cracks are forming in the reunited Coalition. Matt Canavan leads the Nationals and opposed a proposed EU trade deal without consulting the full Coalition.
Liberals pushed back. Alex Hawke said the Nationals cannot set Liberal policy.
Hawke said voters see the economic damage from protectionism. On AI, the Nationals and conservative Liberal Garth Hamilton are pushing back against a mooted Liberal-Labor consensus on welcoming data centres.
They oppose any weakening of copyright laws. David Littleproud, whose seat may get a major data centre, told the party room he opposes copyright changes.
The tensions reflect the Nationals fighting One Nation for regional seats.
- Canberra
- Meeting location
- Liberals and Nationals
- Coalition parties
- One Nation in regional seats
- Threat to Nationals
- EU trade agreement
- Deal proposed
Why it mattersCoalition divisions on trade and AI could weaken their hand against the government.
AustraliaAustralia's trade negotiations with the EU and its approach to AI development and copyright law now depend on whether the Coalition can resolve these internal disputes.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
