Earlier this week, the federal Coalition split up for the first time in more than 40 years.
The Liberal and National parties cited differences over policy directions, but insisted the separation is not intended to be permanent.
There is some confusion about what this could mean for individual members, particularly those in Queensland.
That’s because Queensland has had a merged Liberal National Party since 2008.
Here’s what to know.
Party structure
Australia’s political parties are usually made up of a national body, and branches for the states and territories.
The NSW Liberal organisation, for example, might operate differently to the Western Australian branch, but members of both are still part of the overall Liberal Party.
Think of it like school sport: athletes might play for their colour house at a carnival, but represent their school at a bigger event.
In 2008, the Queensland Liberals and Nationals decided to merge into one entity: the Liberal National Party (LNP).
At a federal election, Queensland candidates run as LNP members or senators.
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Once elected, they choose whether they want to sit with the Liberals or the Nationals in Parliament.
LNP members
Of the 16 LNP lower house MPs elected this year, 10 are aligned with the Liberal Party, and six are with the Nationals.
The federal leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, is in the LNP.
In the Senate, two of the four LNP Senators sit with the Liberals, and two with the Nationals.
What changes?
Although the federal Coalition has split, the LNP is expected to remain the same merged party at the state level.
Those who sit with the Liberals will continue doing so, and likewise with the Nationals.
The main impact is that LNP MPs aligned with either side of the coalition will still have to go to the same state conferences.
Federal LNP MP Colin Boyce, who sits with the Nationals, told The Australian he was seeking clarity around attending party conferences alongside people who sit with the Liberals.
