Coalition Split

Australia’s main conservative alliance has fractured after a dispute over new hate speech laws, dealing a fresh blow to the opposition and casting uncertainty over the leadership of Liberal Party chief Sussan Ley.

The Liberal-National Coalition formally split on Thursday after the Nationals refused to support a joint shadow cabinet position on legislation introduced following last month’s deadly attack on a Jewish festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

The rift centers on how the opposition should respond to government reforms aimed at curbing hate speech and religious extremism after the December 14 shooting that killed 15 people.

While both Coalition …