‘I don't care if I lose my job': Nationals leader David Littleproud unfazed by rumours of Nationals' leadership plot
Nationals leader David Littleproud has declared he is 'pretty relaxed' about speculation that members of his own party may be working to oust him.
Amid the fallout from the Liberals and Nationals weeklong split, speculation has arisen that members of Mr Littleproud's party were plotting against him.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley reached out to National MPs who opposed the decision to temporarily abandon the Coalition, sparking rumours about a leadership coup.
Despite this, Mr Littleproud told Sky News Sunday Agenda he didn't know if former leaders Barnaby Joyce or Michael McCormack were plotting to replace him.
Nationals leader David Littleproud has declared he is 'pretty relaxed' about speculation that members of his own party may be working to oust him. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
'Well, I don't know, mate, but I'm pretty relaxed. Since I've been leader, I've been prepared to take the tough decisions,' he said.
'To make the decision on the Voice, on divestiture, on nuclear, on the (Regional Australia Future Fund). I led a party that backed those decisions.'
His comments come after an extraordinary week in conservative politics, during which the Nationals temporarily withdrew from Coalition negotiations.
The break was triggered by what Mr Littleproud described as a failure by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to guarantee support for four key policy demands.
Those demands included powers to break up supermarkets, lifting the moratorium on nuclear power and creating a $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund.
Some prominent Nationals members including former leaders Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack have criticised how Mr Littleproud handled the situation.
However, Mr Littleproud said the decision to walk away was made collectively by his party room, and that he was simply acting on their direction.
The Coalition has since agreed 'in principle' to all four of the Nationals' policy demands.
'The fact that we got an outcome in two or three days because of the principles over politics—the men and women of my party room stood up,' he said.
'I'm proud of them. I'm proud of the fact the vast majority (backed me)… If I have to lose my job for it, I don't care.'
Mr Littleproud rejected claims that the Nationals had walked out over internal power dynamics or cabinet solidarity, saying the dispute was 'a red herring'.
'We didn't blink. The National Party didn't blink. We made it very clear these were important to us. This was a principled decision,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Parties in full swing, tough path to election majority
The starter's gun has been fired for a snap Tasmanian election but whether the political situation is any less messy after polling day is anyone's guess. Minority Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff's refusal to step down after losing a no-confidence motion last week has triggered the island's second poll in 16 months. His party rolled out its first wave of candidates on Thursday's first day of campaigning before the July 19 vote. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor opposition (10) must get the public on board to have any chance of reaching the 18-seat mark needed to rule in majority. The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, have governed in minority for two years. They suffered a 12 per cent swing against them at the March 2024 election, with voters largely jumping to minor parties and independents. It won't be easy for the Liberals or Labor to get the swing required for majority, election analyst Kevin Bonham said. The Liberals picked up 37 per cent of the vote in 2024 and Labor 29 per cent. "(Both) parties need a large swing. You'd be looking at a primary vote of around the low 40s (for majority)," Dr Bonham said. The most recent opinion polling in May showed support for the Liberals had fallen from the election result to 29 per cent, while Labor's backing increased marginally to 31 per cent. Labor took two seats off the Liberals in Tasmania at the May national election but Dr Bonham said the party couldn't rely on that wave of support at state level. Labor is also without popular former state leader Rebecca White, who now sits in federal parliament. "There were some different factors playing into the federal (result) like campaigns against (Peter) Dutton over health," Dr Bonham said. Minor parties and independent candidates are already throwing their hat in the ring. Anti-salmon campaigner Peter George, who gave sitting Labor MP Julie Collins a fright at the federal poll, is running as an independent in Franklin. The Nationals are expected to put forward former Liberal MP John Tucker, whose defection in 2023 plunged the Liberals into minority, as a candidate. "There has been a lot of disquiet (from the public)," Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie told ABC Radio. "It seems both the major parties have been focused on themselves rather than the issues of everyday Tasmanians." Labor leader Dean Winter's no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was successful with support of the Greens and three crossbench MPs. The motion cited budget mismanagement, including ballooning net debt, and the delayed and over-budget new Bass Strait ferries project. Mr Rockliff said he wanted the campaign to be about Tasmania's future. "I know Tasmanians did not want an election. Dean Winter caused this election with his desperation and immaturity," he told reporters on Thursday. Mr Winter fired back, labelling Mr Rockliff stubborn for refusing to stand aside after the parliament lost confidence in him. Labor says it won't do deals with the Greens to govern but hasn't ruled out forming alliances with other members of a potential crossbench. The starter's gun has been fired for a snap Tasmanian election but whether the political situation is any less messy after polling day is anyone's guess. Minority Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff's refusal to step down after losing a no-confidence motion last week has triggered the island's second poll in 16 months. His party rolled out its first wave of candidates on Thursday's first day of campaigning before the July 19 vote. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor opposition (10) must get the public on board to have any chance of reaching the 18-seat mark needed to rule in majority. The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, have governed in minority for two years. They suffered a 12 per cent swing against them at the March 2024 election, with voters largely jumping to minor parties and independents. It won't be easy for the Liberals or Labor to get the swing required for majority, election analyst Kevin Bonham said. The Liberals picked up 37 per cent of the vote in 2024 and Labor 29 per cent. "(Both) parties need a large swing. You'd be looking at a primary vote of around the low 40s (for majority)," Dr Bonham said. The most recent opinion polling in May showed support for the Liberals had fallen from the election result to 29 per cent, while Labor's backing increased marginally to 31 per cent. Labor took two seats off the Liberals in Tasmania at the May national election but Dr Bonham said the party couldn't rely on that wave of support at state level. Labor is also without popular former state leader Rebecca White, who now sits in federal parliament. "There were some different factors playing into the federal (result) like campaigns against (Peter) Dutton over health," Dr Bonham said. Minor parties and independent candidates are already throwing their hat in the ring. Anti-salmon campaigner Peter George, who gave sitting Labor MP Julie Collins a fright at the federal poll, is running as an independent in Franklin. The Nationals are expected to put forward former Liberal MP John Tucker, whose defection in 2023 plunged the Liberals into minority, as a candidate. "There has been a lot of disquiet (from the public)," Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie told ABC Radio. "It seems both the major parties have been focused on themselves rather than the issues of everyday Tasmanians." Labor leader Dean Winter's no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was successful with support of the Greens and three crossbench MPs. The motion cited budget mismanagement, including ballooning net debt, and the delayed and over-budget new Bass Strait ferries project. Mr Rockliff said he wanted the campaign to be about Tasmania's future. "I know Tasmanians did not want an election. Dean Winter caused this election with his desperation and immaturity," he told reporters on Thursday. Mr Winter fired back, labelling Mr Rockliff stubborn for refusing to stand aside after the parliament lost confidence in him. Labor says it won't do deals with the Greens to govern but hasn't ruled out forming alliances with other members of a potential crossbench. The starter's gun has been fired for a snap Tasmanian election but whether the political situation is any less messy after polling day is anyone's guess. Minority Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff's refusal to step down after losing a no-confidence motion last week has triggered the island's second poll in 16 months. His party rolled out its first wave of candidates on Thursday's first day of campaigning before the July 19 vote. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor opposition (10) must get the public on board to have any chance of reaching the 18-seat mark needed to rule in majority. The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, have governed in minority for two years. They suffered a 12 per cent swing against them at the March 2024 election, with voters largely jumping to minor parties and independents. It won't be easy for the Liberals or Labor to get the swing required for majority, election analyst Kevin Bonham said. The Liberals picked up 37 per cent of the vote in 2024 and Labor 29 per cent. "(Both) parties need a large swing. You'd be looking at a primary vote of around the low 40s (for majority)," Dr Bonham said. The most recent opinion polling in May showed support for the Liberals had fallen from the election result to 29 per cent, while Labor's backing increased marginally to 31 per cent. Labor took two seats off the Liberals in Tasmania at the May national election but Dr Bonham said the party couldn't rely on that wave of support at state level. Labor is also without popular former state leader Rebecca White, who now sits in federal parliament. "There were some different factors playing into the federal (result) like campaigns against (Peter) Dutton over health," Dr Bonham said. Minor parties and independent candidates are already throwing their hat in the ring. Anti-salmon campaigner Peter George, who gave sitting Labor MP Julie Collins a fright at the federal poll, is running as an independent in Franklin. The Nationals are expected to put forward former Liberal MP John Tucker, whose defection in 2023 plunged the Liberals into minority, as a candidate. "There has been a lot of disquiet (from the public)," Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie told ABC Radio. "It seems both the major parties have been focused on themselves rather than the issues of everyday Tasmanians." Labor leader Dean Winter's no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was successful with support of the Greens and three crossbench MPs. The motion cited budget mismanagement, including ballooning net debt, and the delayed and over-budget new Bass Strait ferries project. Mr Rockliff said he wanted the campaign to be about Tasmania's future. "I know Tasmanians did not want an election. Dean Winter caused this election with his desperation and immaturity," he told reporters on Thursday. Mr Winter fired back, labelling Mr Rockliff stubborn for refusing to stand aside after the parliament lost confidence in him. Labor says it won't do deals with the Greens to govern but hasn't ruled out forming alliances with other members of a potential crossbench. The starter's gun has been fired for a snap Tasmanian election but whether the political situation is any less messy after polling day is anyone's guess. Minority Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff's refusal to step down after losing a no-confidence motion last week has triggered the island's second poll in 16 months. His party rolled out its first wave of candidates on Thursday's first day of campaigning before the July 19 vote. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor opposition (10) must get the public on board to have any chance of reaching the 18-seat mark needed to rule in majority. The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, have governed in minority for two years. They suffered a 12 per cent swing against them at the March 2024 election, with voters largely jumping to minor parties and independents. It won't be easy for the Liberals or Labor to get the swing required for majority, election analyst Kevin Bonham said. The Liberals picked up 37 per cent of the vote in 2024 and Labor 29 per cent. "(Both) parties need a large swing. You'd be looking at a primary vote of around the low 40s (for majority)," Dr Bonham said. The most recent opinion polling in May showed support for the Liberals had fallen from the election result to 29 per cent, while Labor's backing increased marginally to 31 per cent. Labor took two seats off the Liberals in Tasmania at the May national election but Dr Bonham said the party couldn't rely on that wave of support at state level. Labor is also without popular former state leader Rebecca White, who now sits in federal parliament. "There were some different factors playing into the federal (result) like campaigns against (Peter) Dutton over health," Dr Bonham said. Minor parties and independent candidates are already throwing their hat in the ring. Anti-salmon campaigner Peter George, who gave sitting Labor MP Julie Collins a fright at the federal poll, is running as an independent in Franklin. The Nationals are expected to put forward former Liberal MP John Tucker, whose defection in 2023 plunged the Liberals into minority, as a candidate. "There has been a lot of disquiet (from the public)," Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie told ABC Radio. "It seems both the major parties have been focused on themselves rather than the issues of everyday Tasmanians." Labor leader Dean Winter's no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was successful with support of the Greens and three crossbench MPs. The motion cited budget mismanagement, including ballooning net debt, and the delayed and over-budget new Bass Strait ferries project. Mr Rockliff said he wanted the campaign to be about Tasmania's future. "I know Tasmanians did not want an election. Dean Winter caused this election with his desperation and immaturity," he told reporters on Thursday. Mr Winter fired back, labelling Mr Rockliff stubborn for refusing to stand aside after the parliament lost confidence in him. Labor says it won't do deals with the Greens to govern but hasn't ruled out forming alliances with other members of a potential crossbench.
Sky News AU
8 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Australia needs to hold onto ‘long standing alliances' like the US amid AUKUS review
Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie says the Coalition wishes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 'every success in strengthening' Australia's relationship with the United States, amid the Pentagon ordering a review of the AUKUS deal. 'I think the review is concerning, I think it adds to the long task list of issues that the Prime Minister will have to raise with the President next week,' Ms McKenzie told Sky News Australia. 'We have a very real vulnerability, and these very strategic, long-standing alliances are critical to our security. 'AUKUS and our strategic relationship with the United States has to be the primary concern of the Prime Minister.'
Sky News AU
9 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Albanese taking a ‘bystander approach' with AUKUS review: Sussan Ley
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says the Coalition is 'concerned' about the Pentagon reviewing the AUKUS deal. 'We are concerned about the Pentagon reviewing AUKUS because we are not sure of the standing that this government has with the President and with the US administration,' Ms Ley told Sky News Australia. 'I feel there's something of a bystander approach from Anthony Albanese. 'We know it's the most important strategic initiative that Australia has entered into in decades. 'My comment to the government is, you do need to secure a meeting at the earliest opportunity with President Trump, and you do need to safeguard AUKUS for the future.'
