Bridget McKenzie, Kevin Hogan join race to succeed Littleproud
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More news: Deputy Nationals leader Kevin Hogan and the party’s Senate leader Bridget McKenzie have put their hand up to succeed David Littleproud, creating a splintered race to succeed the outgoing leader.
Hogan, the party’s deputy since May, confirmed to Capital Brief on Tuesday that he had put himself forward “after being approached by a number of colleagues”.
McKenzie, Nationals deputy leader between 2017 and 2020, will also announce her candidacy on Wednesday.
They join conservative senator Matt Canavan in the race, with former Nationals leader Michael McCormack also expected to nominate.
What they said: “While still feeling David’s resignation as leader, after being approached by a number of colleagues, I have formally put my hand up for the leadership position,” Hogan said.
Matt Canavan to run for Nationals leader as Littleproud steps down
More news: Nationals senator Matt Canavan will contest the Nationals leadership, with incumbent David Littleproud stepping down by the end of the week.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Canavan confirmed he planned to run for the role and laid out a conservative agenda opposed to “excessive government spending and [Labor’s] crazy net zero policies”.
“I will put my case to my Nationals colleagues in the coming days and will respect whatever decision they make,” he said.
Canavan challenged Littleproud in the immediate aftermath of the Coalition’s devastating May election defeat but failed to convince his colleagues to oust the incumbent.
He nevertheless paid tribute to Littleproud’s legacy, saying he had helped to turn the Coalition’s policy away from net zero emissions towards a “more common-sense energy policy”.
“I have great respect for David Littleproud’s service to my party, the Nationals,” he said.
“It would have taken David a lot of guts to make the difficult decision to stand down as leader.”
Former Nationals leader Michael McCormack, who has been critical of Littleproud’s role in successive Coalition splits, is also expected to run.
What they said: “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,” Canavan said in his social media post.
“I love the Nationals Party and I firmly believe that our pragmatic and grounded approach is what our country now needs.”
‘Man of his word’: Angus Taylor pays tribute to outgoing Littleproud
More news: Liberal leader Angus Taylor has paid tribute to David Littleproud, describing his outgoing Nationals counterpart as a “man of integrity”.
Speaking shortly after Littleproud announced his shock resignation, Taylor said he had was central to shaping the Coalition’s direction since assuming the leadership in 2022.
“Whether it’s in nuclear policy, or whether it is in the [Voice] referendum, or in many, many other areas, David has played a crucial role,” Taylor said.
“I’ve watched that. I’ve seen that, and it’s a great legacy.”
Taylor deposed former Liberal leader Sussan Ley, who Littleproud announced the Nationals would not work with after a dispute over the government’s contentious hate speech laws, last month.
But Taylor insisted Littleproud was a “committed coalitionist”, revealing the pair had dined on the night he ascended to discuss how to get the Coalition back on track.
“Everything he said to me that night, he has done,” Taylor said.
“He is a man of his word. 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.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Littleproud had informed him of his decision just before question time on Tuesday afternoon.
“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,” Albanese said.
Albanese said the pair shared a “mutual respect for and great honour” of serving in parliament despite their differing views, and had been able to work together on a host of issues.
What they said: “It is a significant achievement to be chosen to lead your party, and David can look back on his four years as leader of Nationals — and ten years as Member for Maranoa — knowing he has given his utmost,” Albanese said in a statement.
“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.”
David Littleproud resigns as Nationals leader, says he’s ‘had enough’
The news: David Littleproud has announced his shock resignation as Nationals leader, declaring months of being a “human punching bag” had left him exhausted.
The context: Speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, Littleproud declared he was “buggered” and did not have the energy to continue as leader, confirming he will step down by the end of the week.
Littleproud insisted he would remain as the MP for his regional Queensland electorate of Maranoa, and said any place on the frontbench would be a matter for his successor.
He did not reveal who he thought that should be.
“I’ll serve my great party and this great Coalition any way they want me to,” Littleproud said.
“You’ve got to be honest with yourself, because you can stay too long and you can hold us back.
“I don’t ever want anyone in the National Party to say I held them back.”
Appearing alongside his wife, Amelia, an at times emotional Littleproud defended his legacy as Nationals leader, pointing to his opposition to the Voice and nuclear energy, and driving the Coalition’s reversal on net zero.
“You all told me I was going to be on the wrong side of history [during the Voice debate], and you were probably right at that point,” he said.
“Only 30% agreed with us. By the end of it, over 60% agreed with us. That’s what it means to stand for something.”
Littleproud’s announcement came after a turbulent time for the Coalition, which suffered its worst ever election defeat in May last year.
The post-election period has also included two Coalition breakups and reunifications, and white-anting from Littleproud’s colleagues over his handling of the incidents.
“I’ve been a human punching bag for the last couple of months. I don’t really give a rats, but at some point you look after yourself,” he said.
What they said: “I believe it is time to transition to a new leader,” Littleproud said, saying he was “buggered” and had “had enough”.
“It would be wrong for me to say I am the right person to continue to lead,” he said.
The sources: David Littleproud press conference, Angus Taylor press conference, Anthony Albanese statement, Matt Canavan social media post, Nationals sources
