Bridget McKenzie

Bridget McKenzie is a Senator representing the Nationals party in Australia. Recently, she has been newsworthy due to her involvement in several instances of defying party lines and challenging the authority of the Coalition leadership. Notably, McKenzie, along with Senator Ross Cadell, crossed the floor of parliament to vote with One Nation on a motion regarding migration, against the wishes of their Coalition colleagues. Furthermore, she was one of the Nationals frontbenchers who breached shadow cabinet solidarity rules on a hate speech vote. McKenzie has stated that the decision regarding her future within the party rests with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley. She also expressed concerns regarding the timeline for hate speech and gun reform legislation in the wake of the Bondi tragedy, stating that taking guns from law-abiding citizens is not the appropriate response. Her actions contribute to the perception of internal divisions and potential instability within the Nationals party and the broader Coalition.