[6] On 20 September 2020, Williams left the Nationals to join the Liberal Party, citing the "reckless and unreasonable behaviour" of Nationals leader John Barilaro in threatening to end the Coalition and move the party to the crossbench due to a fight over koala protections.

[7] The Nationals contested Port Macquarie at the 2023 state election, but Williams retained the seat for the Liberals with a two-candidate-preferred vote of 60.8%.

[10] She said she made the decision in order to be closer to her family in Western Australia after the death of her husband, Don Williams, in 2022.

[13][14] On 8 February 2025, Laurieton United Services Club general manager Robert Dwyer defeated real estate agent Luke Hadfield to win Liberal Party preselection.

[20] Three days later on 12 February 2025, the Nationals' Central Committee refused to endorse his candidacy without a public explanation.