David Littleproud steps down: Nationals leader fights back tears as he calls it quits and admits: ‘I’m buggered and I’ve had enough’
Nationals leader David Littleproud has announced he will step down as leader of the party, becoming emotional as he confirmed he no longer has the energy to continue in the role.
Speaking in Canberra on Tuesday, Littleproud fought back tears as he told reporters he was exhausted after years in leadership.
‘I’m buggered and I’ve had enough,’ he said.
‘I’ve got to a juncture where I believe it is time.’
Littleproud will remain in Parliament and has confirmed he intends to recontest his Queensland seat of Maranoa, one of the safest electorates in the country, which he has held since entering Parliament in 2016.
He took over the Nationals leadership in 2022 following the Coalition’s federal election defeat.
His leadership saw several moments of internal tension, including his controversial decision not to renew the Coalition agreement with the Liberal Party over policy differences, before later reuniting.
A second split unfolded in January amid disputes over proposed hate speech laws, again followed by a reconciliation.
Nationals leader David Littleproud fought back tears as he announced he will be resigning
Littleproud said the cumulative strain of these battles contributed to his decision to step aside.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Littleproud’s service, saying the Nationals leader personally informed him of his decision before Question Time.
‘Prior to Question Time today, David Littleproud did me the courtesy of informing me that he would be stepping down as Leader of the Nationals,’ Albanese said on Tuesday afternoon.
Albanese said that despite coming from different political traditions, the pair shared respect for the responsibility of serving in federal parliament
‘David and I come from very different political traditions and backgrounds but we share a mutual respect for the great honour of serving in the Parliament of Australia and have been able to work together on many issues affecting his community, the regions and our national interest.’
