Since recording this episode, Nationals Leader David Littleproud formally announced that the Coalition has split, blaming Opposition leader Sussan Ley for forcing the Nationals into an untenable position.

It comes after Littleproud's frontbenchers sensationally quit the Coalition shadow cabinet on Wednesday night in solidarity with three rebel MPs who voted against Labor's hate-crime laws.

Now, the spotlight is back on whether Ley can continue leading the Opposition.

That is no doubt much to the relief of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has faced a backlash for rushing the bills through parliament without enough time for proper scrutiny. 

Today, federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos speaks on the rocky first few parliamentary days of the year.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.