Matt Canavan has been elected Nationals leader after David Littleproud’s shock resignation this week.
The firebrand Senator edged out former Deputy Leader Kevin Hogan and Senate leader Bridget McKenzie in a party room ballot on Wednesday morning 11 March.
Darren Chester was elected the new Deputy Leader.
Mr Littleproud shocked colleagues as he announced he would step down from the regional party’s top job on Tuesday with little notice, declaring he was “buggered” and didn’t have the energy to continue as leader.
But, the Queensland MP will continue representing his seat of Maranoa and has said he’s willing to remain on the Coalition front bench.
Mr Littleproud explained he was feeling like a “million dollars” after stepping down, telling reporters on Wednesday morning he’d had his best sleep in eight months.
Consistently poor polling showing Pauline Hanson’s One Nation overtaking the Coalition in voter support has shaken the Nationals, who fear a wipe-out at the next federal election.
Seats in regional Queensland and NSW are considered particularly at risk, threatening a number of electorates held by the Nationals.
The rural party failed to win back the seat of Calare at the 2025 election to Independent Andrew Gee, who quit the Nationals over their opposition to the Indigenous voice to Parliament.
Firebrand Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price also defected to the Liberal Party following the federal election defeat.
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