David Littleproud has quit as the Federal Nationals Party leader in a surprising decision, saying that he no longer has the energy to carry on as the party’s leader.
The Queensland MP announced the news in Canberra on Tuesday and then told the press, “I’m buggered, I’ve had enough.”
He stated that he would remain in parliament as the Member for Maranoa and that he intends to contest the next election.
David Littleproud stated that he has told the party whip that he intends to quit and that he has asked for the party room to be assembled later this week to choose his successor.
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He stated that the job required everything from the person holding it and that, after the last few months, he no longer thought that he was the best person for the job.
An emotional Littleproud stood next to his wife Amelia and said he had wanted to leave after the Coalition was reconciled earlier this year, but he stayed to help stabilize the situation.
He claimed that the recent unrest had severely damaged his personal life, calling himself a “punching bag” in the months following Labor’s victory in the 2025 election.
Also he expressed a desire to return to Queensland and rekindle his interest in public life.
Littleproud has been in charge of the party since 2022, when he took over from Barnaby Joyce.
He won a leadership bid against Senator Matt Canavan in May last year, but it seems the contest will continue, with Senator Canavan announcing on Tuesday he will once again make his case to his party colleagues.
Taylor praised Littleproud as a man of “great dignity,” with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing he has worked with him “respectfully” despite coming from different political backgrounds.
The Nationals immediate concern is who will lead a party that is still attempting to stabilize itself following electoral defeats, coalition infighting and a new dispute over strategy.
