the 1974 state election saw the liberals defeat labor but they lacked a majority and so following negotiations a liberal-national country coalition ministry was formed with the national country party holding three positions in the ministry, including leader ray mcpharlin as deputy premier under sir charles court. however the national country party's reduced position led to public discussions about establishing a clear separate identity from the liberals. tensions grew over rural and education issues and, ultimately, milk quotas for dairy producers leading to a split. on 20 may 1975, mcpharlin led the party out of the coalition. the state party then came under pressure from the federal party to resume the coalition, with both federal leader doug anthony and queensland premier joh bjelke-petersen making visits to encourage this. in the negotiations which followed, mcpharlin was replaced as leader by dick old and the coalition was resumed on 31 may; however, court insisted old was too inexperienced to be deputy premier, and from this point until the liberals' defeat in 1983, while the coalition was maintained between the two parties, the liberal party got to name both leading positions in the ministry despite old gaining experience as a minister. at the 1977 state election the liberals gained seats while the national country party stood still, resulting in the latter losing one of its three ministerial posts. the coalition remained in office.