While today’s announcement from David Littleproud came as a surprise, I understand his reasons and respect his decision.
David has given the Party’s top job absolutely everything he has over the past four years, and I want to sincerely thank him for his determination and dedication on behalf of all regional Australians.
Under David’s leadership, the National Party retained every seat in the lower house at the last election, despite the flood of broader Coalition losses. David’s own personal role in that should not be undersold or undervalued.
To everyone watching over the past few months, David projected strength and conviction. Through difficult negotiations and Coalition disunity, he stood strong and represented himself, his party room and conservative politics with single-minded resolve. And we as a Coalition have come out the other side stronger and better for it.
And with that, I want to thank him for having the courage to recognise in himself that his energy was drained, well before anyone had an opportunity to accuse him of taking his foot off the accelerator.
I know that he will continue to represent his electorate of Maranoa and The National Party with the same dedication he has always shown, even if it’s not from the hot seat.
We are lucky to have some immense talent in the National Party Room, and I am confident that we will collectively elect a leader that will drive the Party agenda forward with as much dogged determination as David has.
While I am saddened by David’s departure from leadership, I know that the future of our Party is bright.
