Breaking :Senior Nationals Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell, and Susan McDonald have quit the Senate frontbench after opposing the Coalition’s support of new hate speech laws.

The Nationals senators Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald have quit the frontbench after opposing the Coalition’s official position on hate speech laws.

In a statement Sussan Ley said the Nationals had agreed to honour cabinet solidarity, which was breached when they crossed the floor against a vote on the reforms last night.

Senior Nationals Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald quit the shadow cabinet, after defying its position on the government’s hate speech reforms in a late-night vote on Tuesday.

The split between Liberals and Nationals emerged after parliament was recalled early at the urgence of Opposition Leader Sussan Ley in order to respond to the Bondi terror attack.

Last night the Liberals sided with the government to pass laws enabling extremist groups espousing hate to be banned, stronger powers for visas to be cancelled, and strengthened penalties for religious leaders who promote violence.

But the Nationals voted against the bill, including senators McKenzie, McDonald and Cadell, who as shadow ministers are bound to follow the position taken by the Coalition’s shadow cabinet.

There remains speculation over whether the Nationals could resign en masse following Ms Ley’s move. The junior Coalition member will hold a party room meeting on Wednesday evening.

In a statement, the opposition leader acknowledged the issue was difficult for the Nationals party room.

But she said when the Coalition reformed following the party’s election loss, the Nationals agreed to the “foundational principle” that they adhered to decisions of the shadow cabinet.

“Last night three Nationals senators were unable to maintain that shadow cabinet solidarity,” Ms Ley said.

“This is an unfortunate circumstance and one that requires action.

“[The senators] have each offered their resignations from the shadow cabinet, as is appropriate, and I have accepted them.”

Senators voted knowing they could be sacked
Earlier today Senator Cadell said he was prepared to be sacked or resign for his decision.

“I am willing to take the consequences of my actions, I think that is fair,” Senator Cadell said.

“I can’t do the crime if I’m not prepared to do the time.

“Some things you have to stand [up] for … I couldn’t get there, I had real fears about what could happen, so I did what I thought had to be done.”

The senator said he expected he would lose his portfolio as a consequence.

But he insisted that the matter had been dealt with well by Ms Ley, and the Nationals had no desire to “blow up” the Coalition.

“Everyone has worked well in the Liberal and National parties on this. There are ways this can work if it is the three of us [Nationals senators] going. If that is what has to happen it happens,” he said.

Across multiple party room meetings, Nationals MPs canvassed the consequences of voting against the formal Coalition position.

Senator McKenzie conceded in a statement that last night’s decision to oppose reforms to Australia’s hate speech laws could cost the trio their ministries.

“National Party MPs and shadow ministers were very clear on the consequences of our party room decision to oppose Labor’s hate speech laws,” she said.

“I am very conscious of my responsibilities as a leader and have always sought to fulfill my role with integrity. I will continue to do so in this instance. This is now for consideration between our party leaders.”