Scott Morrison has said that a Western Australian-style preference deal between the Liberals and One Nation “would never happen” federally because of the coalition with the Nationals. The comments give comfort to the deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, and other opponents of the preference deal, as recriminations over the landslide Coalition defeat continued on Monday. Malcolm Turnbull refuses to rule out One Nation deal at federal election Read moreSpeaking on 2GB Radio on Monday, Morrison agreed the result was a “landslide to Labor”, adding “there’s no hiding from that, it’s absolutely true”. Liberal party defends preference deal with One Nation after WA election loss Read moreMorrison held the line that federal preference decisions would be made in future. Malcolm Turnbull has refused to rule out doing a preference deal with One Nation at the next federal election despite Joyce branding the controversial tie-up in Western Australia “a mistake”.

Source: The Guardian March 13, 2017 00:00 UTC