Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie says 'deep questions' need to be asked in the wake of the Coalition's disastrous election result as she maintained her support for nuclear.

In a revealing interview with Sky News Australia, Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie expressed her shock over the Coalition's significant defeat in the recent federal election, where key figures like Peter Dutton lost their seats, marking a decisive victory for the Labor Party. McKenzie emphasized the necessity for the Coalition to conduct a 'serious, comprehensive analysis' to assess the reasons behind the loss, particularly in areas like campaign strategy, communication, and policy formulation. While she credited the Coalition's policies as largely sound and reflective of Australian issues, she acknowledged that the engagement and communication with voters fell short. Significantly, McKenzie pointed to what she termed Labor's 'weaponisation' of nuclear energy, alleging that misleading claims about the cost of nuclear energy—billed at $600 billion—played a role in the election outcome. She described the scare campaigns around nuclear energy as effective, reinforcing the idea that misinformation can shape public perception and influence electoral results. Despite the setback, McKenzie maintained her long-standing support for nuclear energy, arguing for a balanced and comprehensive approach to solving Australia's energy crisis. As she discussed the party's position, McKenzie noted that the National Party had effectively held its ground in the parliamentary landscape and was close to securing a seat in Bendigo. This reflects a complex dynamic within the Coalition, hinting at both challenges and opportunities moving forward. McKenzie concluded by asserting that the Liberal party needs to introspect deeply to redefine its role in the modern political arena, indicating that the current set of circumstances necessitates an evolution in policy and strategy to regain public trust and support. With the Coalition currently holding only 39 lower house seats compared to Labor's 87, the future appears uncertain for this political partnership. The call for reflection and strategic repositioning by McKenzie reveals the urgency of recalibrating their approach to avoid further electoral pitfalls. The key takeaway from McKenzie’s statements is that the Coalition must not only explore what went wrong but also ensure that communication with voters is improved to relay their policies effectively, particularly as Australia navigates significant energy transition challenges.