After the Shadow Cabinet decided to drop a series of amendments to the Government's infrastructure bills, Coalition senators voted in different ways.

Four Nationals and two Liberals defied the Shadow Cabinet by voting to keep the amendments.

Five Liberals voted with the Government, while the rest abstained.

Mr Rudd has questioned the strength of leadership within the Opposition.

"We have got a time of global economic crisis, the nation wants strong united leadership and we have seen the Liberals as a divided rabble," he said.

Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop has denied the Coalition is in disarray.
Ms Bishop says she is not concerned some backbenchers voted against the Shadow Cabinet's wishes.

"We're a very united team and the Coalition is working well together," she said.

"There were some members who were sending a message to Labor."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/05/2439370.htm

spinning furiously …..

Liberal Senate leader Nick Minchin, who abstained from the vote, has also played down the split.

"I can't deny the fact that four National Party senators and two Liberal party senators decided that they did think we should insist on those amendments - that is a fact of life," he said.

"I respect their right to do that.

"The Coalition as a whole implemented its decision not to vote for these amendments."

Liberal senator and defence spokesman David Johnston, who voted for the bill, says he has no issue with the Coalition senators who crossed the floor.

"I think there is a lot of people who'll want to beat this up," he told ABC 2 News Breakfast.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/05/2438666.htm?section=justin