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Opposition communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh says she feels “embarrassed” by the chaos plaguing her party, as the Liberal-National coalition remains split and rumours of a potential leadership challenge to leader Sussan Ley continue to circulate.

“I really hate opening the papers every morning and seeing this continue in the public, I feel embarrassed walking out in my community. They don’t want this. They don’t want us to be fighting,” she told Sky News this morning.

McIntosh said she was not aware of how negotiations between Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud are progressing, but remained “optimistic” an agreement would be reached soon.

Responding to reports that the Liberals and Nationals may remain split until the next election in 2028, she said, “I wouldn’t like that because it keeps the conversation going in the public, and the public doesn’t want us talking about ourselves any longer. It’s very clear. You can see it in the polls.

“You go out in the streets and people are telling you to get your act together. So I would like [an agreement] to happen sooner rather than later.”