Rare split rocks Aussie conservative opposition

The conservative coalition that has dominated modern Australian politics was abruptly terminated on Tuesday, as the two right-leaning parties traded blame over a crushing election defeat this month.

- Agence France-Presse

SYDNEY:

The centre-right Liberal Party and the rural-focused Nationals have jointly governed Australia under various guises for most of the last century.

But that alliance has broken down as the partners -- now in opposition -- come to grips with one of their worst-ever election results.