The Liberal Party and Nationals have agreed to delay naming their ministerial appointments as the two parties begin talks to reconvene the Coalition.

Australia's Liberal-National coalition - currently the nation's main opposition political party - has split after a partnership lasting almost 80 years. The move marks a seismic change in the country's political landscape and comes just weeks after a federal election that saw Labor win a second term in a landslide victory.

Deputy opposition leader Ted O’Brien says former prime minister John Howard’s criticism of the Coalition split is “spot on”. Howard yesterday damned the split as a stupid move that threatens to deepen the differences between the Nationals and Liberal Party. Speaking this morning on Sky, O’Brien said Howard was correct in his assessment.