National Party leadership

The Nationals' high-profile deputy leader David Littleproud will nominate for the leadership position of his boss, Barnaby Joyce.

Anne Webster will contest for the deputy leadership role, currently held by Mr Littleproud. David Littleproud will run against Barnaby Joyce for leadership of the National Party. The high-profile deputy leader announced on Saturday he’d told Mr Joyce of his decision to nominate.

It is now a three-person race to lead the Coalition's junior partner with the deputy leader joining Darren Chester in announcing intention to nominate.

Anne Webster will contest for the deputy leadership role, currently held by Littleproud. “I also took the opportunity to thank him for all his service to our party,” Littleproud said. David Littleproud will run against Barnaby Joyce for leadership of the National party.

Queensland MP David Littleproud will challenge Barnaby Joyce for the Nationals' top job at a party room meeting on Monday.

Joyce and his backers, who comprise roughly half the 21-member party room, claim leadership success in the election. Therefore, out of respect to my colleagues, I will be making no further public statements until after the meeting on Monday.” Joyce’s perception as a fossil-fuel dinosaur featured prominently in the election campaign. I feel this is the appropriate time to put myself forward for my party room’s consideration as their leader. “This afternoon, I advised Barnaby Joyce of my intention to nominate for the position of leader of the Nationals,” Littleproud said. Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud has ended a week of speculation and confirmed he will challenge Barnaby Joyce for the leadership when the party meets for the first time following the Coalition’s election loss.