Month of coalition turmoil sparked by election drubbing

TIMELINE OF COALITION SPLIT

May 3 - Labor wins second term in landslide election victory, coalition records worst result at a poll since World War II with 43 seats

May 9 - Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor announce their intention to run for the Liberal Party leadership

May 11 - Nationals senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price defects to the Liberal Party to run as deputy to Mr Taylor

May 12 - David Littleproud re-elected as Nationals leader, Kevin Hogan appointed as deputy

May 13 - Sussan Ley elected as first female leader of the Liberals, Ted O'Brien named deputy. Senator Price does not put her hand up to run as deputy after Mr Taylor's defeat for the leadership position

May 15 - Mr Littleproud meets with Ms Ley to work out a coalition agreement. Meeting takes place at Ms Ley's home in Albury while being with her dying mother

May 17 - Ms Ley announces her mother's death. Coalition talks briefly put on hold

May 19 - Ms Ley and Mr Littleproud hold fresh talks on coalition agreement. Sticking points emerge on policies for nuclear energy, divestiture laws, a regional investment fund and boosting phone connectivity

May 20 - Nationals leader announces the party will leave the coalition, citing a breakdown in negotiations and the Liberals not agreeing to the four policy positions. Ms Ley says the Liberals had called for cabinet solidarity with the Nationals, which was not agreed to

May 21 - Former prime ministers including John Howard and Tony Abbott urge the parties to reunite. Ms Ley's office disputes claims from Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie that the four policy disputes were the only reason for the split

May 22 - Both party leaders agree to resume negotiations for a coalition agreement. Ms Ley and Mr Littleproud delay announcements of respective shadow ministries. Liberals hold virtual partyroom meeting and broadly back a reunion with the Nationals

May 23 - Liberals hold second virtual meeting on coalition agreement. Mr Littleproud faces questions on his leadership from former leader Michael McCormack over the parties breaking up