Nationals to hold vote after leader’s shock resignation
The Nationals will hold a leadership vote following the sudden resignation of David Littleproud.
A formal vote to elect the new leader will be held in Canberra on Wednesday morning.
Mr Littleproud will remain in parliament, representing the Queensland seat of Maranoa, after announcing his resignation alongside his wife, Amelia, at an emotional press conference.
“I just went nuts,” he told reporters at Parliament House on Tuesday afternoon.
“I think someone better could do this because I don’t have the energy.”
Outspoken Queensland senator Matt Canavan has become the first to confirm he is running for the top job.
“I believe I have the best chance of helping win the fight for an Australia first plan that can deliver a better life for all Australians,” he wrote in a social media post.
“I will present my case to my National Party colleagues in the coming days and respect their decision.
“I love the National Party and firmly believe that a pragmatic and well-founded approach is what our country needs now.”
Other potential candidates include vice president Kevin Hogan, the party’s Senate leader Bridget McKenzie and former leader Michael McCormack.
All four candidates were seeking support Tuesday evening, sources said.
Persistently weak polls showing Pauline Hanson’s One Nation trailing the coalition in voter support have rattled the National Party, which fears extinction at the next federal election.
Seats in regional Queensland and NSW are thought to be particularly at risk, threatening some National Election-held voters.
The rural party lost the seat of Calare in the 2025 election to independent Andrew Gee, who left the National Party over his opposition to the Indigenous voice in the parliamentary referendum.
Firebrand Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has defected to the Liberal Party following her federal election defeat.
This move left the National Party with only four seats in the Senate; this was often below the number required to maintain “party status”.
Mr Littleproud said he wanted to spend more time with his family but would remain in parliament because he still wanted to represent regional Queensland.
