Karl Stefanovic has unleashed after Liberal deputy leader Ted O’Brien pulled out of his Today Show appearance 20 minutes before the segment went live because he didn’t want to come face-to-face with a top Nationals senator.
The abrupt cancellation came a day after Nationals leader David Littleproud announced the conservative party would be walking away from their 80-year Coalition partnership with the Liberals, following disagreements over policies.
Stefanovic revealed to viewers that O’Brien initially agreed to the interview but backed out upon learning he’d be appearing alongside Nationals Senator Matt Canavan.
‘Divorce proceedings are underway this morning, and there are plenty of dramas everywhere, even here on this show,’ he said.
‘So get this. We asked Deputy Liberal Leader Ted O’Brien on the show last night, and he agreed this morning, out of courtesy.
‘We told him Matt Canavan was coming on too. All seemed OK.
‘And then 20 minutes ago, his team rang, saying he won’t come on with Canavan. I mean, you can’t make it up.
‘It’s like MAFS: Canberra edition.’
The interview went ahead without O’Brien.
‘Any reason why Ted wouldn’t come on with you?’ Stefanovic asked Canavan.
Canavan responded: ‘I don’t know, I definitely don’t have a problem with Ted or anybody in the Parliament.
‘I mean, my number one focus is always about what I can do for people.’
He said describing the split as a ‘divorce’ is ‘very dramatic’.
‘This is simply a business arrangement between two political parties,’ he says.
Littleproud claimed the two parties split because of policy differences, such as the Nationals’ support for nuclear power and supermarket divestiture powers.
‘Our party room has got to a position where we will not be re-entering a Coalition agreement with the Liberal Party after this election,’ he said.
‘What we have got to a position is that the National Party will sit alone on a principle basis.’
Later on Tuesday afternoon, Ley fronted media to say she found the decision ‘disappointing’.
‘As Liberals, we respect their decision and commit to continue working collaboratively with them,’ Ley said.
‘The Liberal Party’s door remains open to The Nationals’ should they wish to rejoin the Coalition before the next election.’