‘I’m buggered’: Nationals leader quits party’s top job
Nationals leader David Littleproud has announced he is stepping down in a surprise decision, saying it was the right time to refresh the party.
Nationals leader David Littleproud is stepping down as leader of the Nationals, saying he has had enough.
Standing beside his wife Amelia Dobson, the National leader and Maranoa MP announced on Tuesday he would resign as party leader, but would remain in parliament.
“I’m buggered and I’ve had enough,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“I’ve got to a juncture where I believe it is time.”
Littleproud first entered parliament in 2016 as the MP for Maranoa in Queensland, one of the safest seats in the country, and was elected leader of the Nationals in 2022 after the coalition’s election defeat.
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In recent months, he attracted controversy leading the Nationals as they split from the Liberals in January following a dispute over hate speech laws, the parties later reuniting. The move ultimately led to Angus Taylor successfully challenging Sussan Ley for the Liberal Party leadership.
Littleproud had replaced Barnaby Joyce as leader in May 2022 and he led two Coalition splits since the election in May last year.
“My colleagues trusted me with their support three times when choosing who should lead The Nationals, and I will be forever grateful. My concern is for the ongoing success and strength of The Nationals,” Littleproud later said in a statement.
“With two years until the next election, and the Coalition relationship now restored and strong, it is the right time to refresh the leadership of The Nationals.”
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He voiced support for new Liberal Leader Angus Taylor saying he was the “right person to reconnect the Coalition with the Australian people”.
National Party federal president Andrew Fraser said Littleproud had led the party “through a challenging period and has delivered great policy outcomes for regional Australia” during the past four years.
“David has worked 24/7 for the last four years for the people of Australia while also being a great local MP,” he said.
“He has been an approachable and accessible leader to everyone in regional Australia, members of the public and party members alike.
“We are not a faction of the Liberal Party; we have a partnership, and David’s leadership never let them forget it.
“It’s rare for a leader to know when they need to hand over. It’s to David’s credit and reflects his strength of character that he has put the needs of The Nationals and his electorate of Maranoa first and his own career and political interests last.”
The parliamentary National Party would elect a new leader later this week.
– with AAP
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