Nationals MP Colin Boyce has announced he will challenge David Littleproud for the party leadership, accusing the party of 'committing political suicide' by ending the Coalition. Boyce will move a spill motion at a party room meeting on Monday and stand as a contender.
Boyce told Sky News on Tuesday that the Nationals are 'going over the political cliff' and face a 'right-flank onslaught from One Nation' if they go it alone. He argued the party would struggle to fundraise and lose resources as a standalone entity.
Colleagues have dismissed Boyce's prospects, with Senator Bridget McKenzie saying the move came 'out of the blue'. Former leader Michael McCormack said Littleproud's position is 'fairly safe', though he noted that colleagues who lost shadow cabinet positions could face financial pressures that might affect loyalty.
Littleproud defended his record in a statement on Wednesday, saying he respects the party room's decisions and stands by his achievements for regional Australia. The spill comes after the Nationals quit the Coalition last week following the resignations of three senators who crossed the floor on hate speech laws.
Boyce, first elected in 2022, denied speculation he would defect to One Nation but acknowledged a surge in support for the party in his central Queensland seat. Senator Matt Canavan, who challenged Littleproud last year, said he would not stand again and called for cooler heads to prevail.
