Dan Tehan Urges Coalition Unity as Nationals Face Leadership Challenge; Police Renew Search for Fugitive
February 2, 2026
Dan Tehan, shadow energy minister, said senior Nationals and Liberal leaders must meet this week to fix the split in their Coalition. Speaking on RN Breakfast, Tehan said, "There’s no reason, if everyone enters into this in good faith, that we can’t achieve that." He wants talks behind closed doors before parliament returns.
Queensland MP Colin Boyce announced he will try to trigger a spill motion against Nationals leader David Littleproud Monday as politicians return to Canberra. Boyce called the Coalition's collapse "furious" and fears the Nationals becoming "the nothing party." Some expect the motion will not get enough support for a leadership vote. Boyce also plans to run for Nationals leader himself.
In a separate development, Victoria police will renew their search for fugitive Dezi Freeman. The five-day search near Mount Buffalo national park uses new intelligence about a gunshot heard soon after two officers were killed at Freeman's property in August. Detective Inspector Adam Tilley said, "It remains our number one priority to locate Freeman."
More than 100 police and volunteers will hunt in thick bush and rough terrain. Police say they are open to all possibilities: Freeman may be dead, hidden, or surviving alone. They have conducted firearms tests in the area as part of the investigation.
Read More at Theguardian →
Tags:
Coalition Split
Dan Tehan
Nationals Leadership Spill
Colin Boyce
Dezi Freeman Search
Victoria Police
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