David Littleproud Resigns as Nationals Leader

David Littleproud resigned as leader of Australia's National Party on Tuesday afternoon in Canberra, citing exhaustion after four years in the role and paving the way for a leadership ballot among his colleagues the following day.

The 49-year-old Queensland MP, who represents the safe regional seat of Maranoa, announced his decision during a press conference in Parliament House. Standing alongside his wife, Amelia, Littleproud grew emotional as he explained his reasons. "I'm buggered, mate," he said. "I'm out on my feet. You've got to be honest with yourself... I love the National Party. I grew up in it. I'll bleed it till the day I die green and gold. I love it, and it would be wrong for me to say that I'm the right person to continue to lead."

Littleproud, who assumed the leadership after the 2022 federal election, said he had intended to step down once the Coalition partnership with the Liberals stabilized under new opposition leader Angus Taylor. He praised Taylor's approach, stating it had restored competitiveness to the opposition. However, the toll of recent events, including the Coalition's election defeat and internal Liberal turmoil that led to two leadership changes,...