David Littleproud resigns as Nationals leader

Nationals leader David Littleproud is quitting his party’s top job, telling reporters: “I’m buggered.”

Shortly after Question Time on Tuesday, Mr Littleproud called a snap press conference.

“I intend to resign as leader,” Mr Littleproud said, standing alongside his wife, Amelia Dobson.

“I’ve got to a juncture where I believe it’s time … to transition to a new leader.

“I had intended to leave the leadership after the Coalition was reformed but I thought it was my responsibility to transition into a new leadership in the Coalition.

“I’m satisfied from what I’ve seen of Angus Taylor and the way that he has handled himself that we are now competitive again.

“The values and principles gave me confidence the Coalition is on the right track. He is a man who would be a great prime minister.”

But of himself, Mr Littleproud said he was not up to the job.

“I’m buggered and I’ve had enough,” he said.

“To lead this great party would be the wrong thing for me.

“I love the National Party. I grew up in it and I’ll bleed until the day I die green and gold.

“I love it and it would be wrong for me to say I’m the right person to lead it.

“I don’t have the energy, I am out and done.”

The member for Maranoa held back tears as he said he would continue on representing his west Queensland electorate.

“It is time for me to feel normal again,” he said.

“It has been a pretty rough road since the election.”

Turning to his wife, he said: “But I get to go home to my wife, Amelia, and my family and I want to spend more time with them.”

He added that he still loved coming to Canberra and that he wanted to “come back as I did when I first came to parliament, with a spring in my step”.

Responding to media, his wife said that “since the election it has been a real battle to try and rebuild some energy and get back into the head space that he needs … to be his best and be able to perform for the National Party”.

“Personally, I’m really proud of the achievement he has made as leader of the National Party,” she said.

“It properly reflects … what’s on the minds of regional and rural Australians.”

Mr Littleproud nabbed the leadership in 2022 after successfully rolling Barnaby Joyce, who late last year defected to One Nation citing a breakdown in their relationship.

Mr Littleproud has since survived multiple leadership spills himself.

He also withdrew his party from the Coalition twice over “untenable” policy differences — differences which have been bridged with Angus Taylor leading the Liberals.

Leadership contender revealed

Within an hour of Mr Littleproud’s announcement, Nationals senator and one-time leadership hopeful Matt Canavan had stuck his hand up for the role.

In a social media post, Senator Canavan said he had “great respect” for Mr Littleproud, who had “a lot of guts to make the difficult decision”.

“Last year, I ran for Leader of the Nationals and I plan to run again now,” he said.

Senator Canavan said he had been consistently against “excessive government spending” and “crazy net zero policies”, which he blamed for high inflation and interest rates.

“I believe I have the best chance to help win the battle for an Australia first plan that can deliver a better life for all Australians,” he said.

“I will put my case to my Nationals colleagues in the coming days and will respect whatever decision they make.

“I love the Nationals Party and I firmly believe that our pragmatic and grounded approach is what our country now needs.”

Senator Bridget McKenzie, meanwhile, would not be drawn on whether she would throw her hat in the ring while appearing on ABC on Tuesday afternoon.

“All announcements will be made in due course,” she said.

Pressed further, including on whether a leader may come from the Senate, she continued: “Sitting in the Senate is no barrier to being of the National Party.”

“But, as I said, this is David’s day. He’s made a significant announcement,” she added.

“He’s contributed a lot to our party and, you know, I’m not going it do anything other than actually pay my respects to him and his leadership at this time.”

Senator McKenzie said Mr Littleproud’s announcement was “a huge shock”, and that he had been planning for the future just the day before.

Nationals Senator Ross Cadell, along with Senator McKenzie, was among the rebel Senators who triggered the Coalition split earlier this year.

He suggested in an interview with Sky News that Mr Littleproud “hadn’t even decided last night”.

“He had a conversation with his wife last night, and when he woke up feeling better about it, he decided that must be the way to,” he said.

Senator Cadell suggested four contenders for leader: Senators Canavan and McKenzie, as well as Michael McCormack and MP Kevin Hogan.

‘Crucial role’

The Opposition Leader paid tribute to his outgoing Nationals counterpart, acknowledging his “crucial role” in shaping the direction of the Coalition, from nuclear to the failed Voice referendum.

“The night after I became leader of the Liberal Party, David and I had dinner, and we spoke about how to get the Coalition back on track,” Mr Taylor said.

“Everything he said to me that night, he has done. He is a man of his worth. He is a man of his handshake And, I have found that consistently, not just in the last few weeks since I’ve become a leader, but I have seen that over a long period of time.

“I also know he’s a great patriot, and he believes in this country, and he gets up each day to fight for rural and regional Australia, but to fight for Australia.”

In a statement, Anthony Albanese said he and Mr Littleproud had “always” been able to separate politics from their personal engagements.

“Prior to Question Time today, David Littleproud did me the courtesy of informing me that he would be stepping down as Leader of the Nationals,” the Prime Minister said.

“As has always been the case, we were able to have that genuine and personal conversation with total confidence. I have always valued that and I thank him for it.

“David and I come from very different political traditions and backgrounds but we share a mutual respect for the great honour of serving in the parliament of Australia and have been able to work together on many issues affecting his community, the regions and our national interest.”

Mr Albanese added that it was “a significant achievement to be chosen to lead your party and David can look back on his four years as Leader of The Nationals and ten years as Member for Maranoa knowing he has given his utmost”.

“I wish him well and I am sure he will continue to make a contribution on the backbench in the service of his regional Queensland electorate,” Mr Albanese said.

State Nationals Leaders also paid respect to Mr Littleproud.

NSW Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh said he led the party with “clear direction, collaboration, and passion”.

Nationals WA Shane Love MLA, meanwhile, described Mr Littleproud as a “tireless advocate for regional Australians throughout his time as leader”.