Nationals leader David Littleproud on Wednesday announced his party has re-joined the Liberal Party to create a Coalition Shadow Ministry.

Member-elect for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, has been appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources.

“I am proud to be included in the Shadow Ministry,” Mr Chaffey said.

“The Parkes electorate is made up of diverse economies across 20 local government areas, and the Unincorporated Far West Area, with two of the major economic drivers being the agricultural and resources sectors,” he said.

“As the newly elected Member for Parkes, my duty will always be to serve the people of the Parkes electorate, and in this new role I will have a greater capacity to advocate on their behalf and hold the Labor Government accountable.

“Under the leadership of The National Party, we held all of our Lower House seats at the recent election.

“It is my belief that our values, and focus on regional Australia, combined with our strong policies, will give strength to our Coalition partners to enable a Coalition Government to come to power at the next election,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley – the first female federal leader of the Liberal Party in Australian history – said the new Shadow Ministry “draws on the deep well of the Australian experience” and is a “team that meets this moment”.

“This new Coalition Shadow Ministry balances experience with new talent. It reflects the full range of philosophical traditions, values and perspectives of our joint party room,” she said.

“This is important because both Coalition parties are at our strongest when we harness our full intellectual and philosophical firepower.

(from left) Nationals leader David Littleproud, Member-elect for Parkes Jamie Chaffey, deputy leader Kevin Hogan and Senate leader Bridget McKenzie.

“We are proud to have promoted the voices of women across our Shadow Ministry. We have a commitment to harnessing the voices of women to take Australia forward. But we are the first to say we have more work to do.

“We have made a clear commitment to Australians to listen to the message they sent us at the Federal Election. We must listen, change and develop a fresh approach,” she said.

“We must respect, reflect and represent modern Australia. Our team will do that work and win back the trust of Australians.

“We are ready to get to work,” she said.