2025 National Party of Australia leadership spill
 | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||
Leadership election | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Deputy leadership election | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
The 2025 National Party of Australia leadership spill was held on 12 May 2025 to elect the leader of the National Party of Australia.[1]
Incumbent leader David Littleproud was re-elected after being challenged by Queensland senator Matt Canavan, while Kevin Hogan won the deputy leadership following Perin Davey's defeat at the 2025 federal election.[2] Bridget McKenzie was re-elected as Nationals leader in the Senate, and although her term expires on 30 June 2025, Davey was elected deputy Senate leader.[3][4]
The Nationals hold an automatic leadership spill following every federal election.[5][6] The results of its internal ballots are not officially released.[7][8]
Background
[edit]2022 leadership spill
[edit]The Liberal–National coalition lost the 2022 federal election to the Labor Party, although the Nationals retained all of its 16 seats in the House of Representatives (including 6 MPs from the Liberal National Party of Queensland who sit in the Nationals party room).[9][10]
On 30 May 2022, the Nationals held a leadership election. Deputy leader David Littleproud challenged incumbent leader Barnaby Joyce and won, with Perin Davey replacing Littleproud as deputy leader.[11][12]
2025 federal election
[edit]The Labor government, led by prime minister Anthony Albanese, was re-elected on 3 May 2025 to a second consecutive term in office in a landslide victory. The Nationals retained all House of Representative seats it held prior to the election, while Andrew Gee – who resigned from the Nationals in December 2023 – was re-elected in the seat of Calare as an independent.[13][14] However, New South Wales senator Perin Davey – who was placed third on the Coalition's ticket – was not re-elected.[15][16]
2025 leadership spill
[edit]Colin Boyce, the member for Flynn, was the first Nationals MP to call for a change in leadership, saying Littleproud should step down because he "must bear some of the responsibility for what happened".[1][17]
Candidates
[edit]Leader
[edit]Declared
[edit]| Candidate | Electorate | Announced | Portfolio(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
David Littleproud | Maranoa (Qld) | 5 May 2025[18] |
| |
|
Matt Canavan | Senator for Queensland | 9 May 2025[19] |
| |
Declined
[edit]| Candidate | Electorate | Declined | Portfolio(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Barnaby Joyce[2] | New England (NSW) | 4 May 2025[20][21] |
| |
.jpg)
|
Michael McCormack[1] | Riverina (NSW) | 12 May 2025 |
| |
Deputy leader
[edit]Declared
[edit]| Candidate | Electorate | Portfolio(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kevin Hogan[2] | Page (NSW) |
| |
Declined
[edit]| Candidate | Electorate | Declined | Portfolio(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bridget McKenzie[2] | Senator for Victoria | 12 May 2025 |
| |
.jpg)
|
Jacinta Price[2] | Senator for the Northern Territory | 8 May 2025 (joined Liberal Party)[22] |
| |
Endorsements
[edit]David Littleproud
[edit]Federal Nationals members
- Michael McCormack – MP for Riverina (NSW) and former Nationals leader (2018–2021)[19][23]
- Kevin Hogan – MP for Page (NSW)[24]
Matt Canavan
[edit]Federal Nationals members
- Barnaby Joyce – MP for New England (NSW) and former Nationals leader (2016–2018; 2021–2022)[25]
- Colin Boyce – MP for Flynn (Qld)[26]
- Llew O'Brien – MP for Wide Bay (Qld)[27]
Former federal Nationals members
- George Christensen – Nationals MP for Dawson (Qld) from 2010–2022 (current Mackay councillor and One Nation member)[23]
Other politicians
- Craig Kelly – Liberal/United Australia MP for Hughes (2010–2022) (current Libertarian Party member)[28]
- Campbell Newman – Premier of Queensland (2012–2015) (former Liberal National Party member; current Libertarian Party member)[29]
- Pauline Hanson – Leader of One Nation and Senator for Queensland[30]
- Lyle Shelton – National Director of the Family First Party[31]
Media personalities
- Adam Creighton – The Australian journalist[32]
- Rowan Dean – conservative commentator and Sky News Australia host[33]
Organisations
Aftermath
[edit]On 20 May 2025, Littleproud announced that the Nationals would not renew the Coalition agreement with the Liberals.[35][36]
The split from the Coalition came about as a result of policy differences around nuclear power, a future fund for regional Australia and supermarket divestiture powers as the main sticking points.[37]
This resulted in the two parties operating separately for the first time since the 1980s, and thus reducing the Nationals to third party status in the Australian Parliament, sitting on the crossbench.[38] However, Littleproud told newly elected Liberal leader Sussan Ley that he has every intention of working toward a renewed Coalition agreement in time for the next election. [39]
On 28 May 2025, the Coalition agreement was restored following agreement on several policy areas that the Nationals had advocated, and a new shadow ministry was revealed.[40]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Scully, Jess and Rachel Holdsworth, Rachel (5 May 2025). "Nationals weigh up increased Coalition role after federal election". ABC News. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Aidone, David (8 May 2025). "Ley in, Tehan out of Liberal leadership bid as rift over Price's defection emerges". SBS News. Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Sakkal, Paul (12 May 2025). "Littleproud sees off challenger and Ley thinks she has the numbers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Cadell, Ross [@RossCadell] (12 May 2025). "Following the meeting of the Nationals Senate team, Senator McKenzie and Senator Davey have been re-elected to the Leader and Deputy leader positions respectively" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ Barbour, Lucy and Sullivan, Kath (11 May 2022). "Barnaby Joyce's leadership tested as National Party fights to retain all seats this federal election". ABC News. Analysis. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Tillett, Andrew (30 May 2022). "Joyce becomes Nats' second choice as Littleproud takes reins". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Grattan, Michelle (4 February 2020). "Barnaby Joyce's leadership challenge fails, taking minister down with him". InDaily. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Sullivan, Kath and Evans, Jake (30 May 2022). "David Littleproud elected to lead the Nationals in opposition after post-election leadership vote". ABC News. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Foley, Mike (25 May 2022). "Nationals leadership spill is yet another battle in climate wars". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Karp, Paul (30 May 2022). "Labor secures majority government despite record non-major party vote and crossbench". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Australian Associated Press; Chan, Gabrielle (30 May 2022). "David Littleproud elected new Nationals leader with Perin Davey as deputy". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 January 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Melleuish, Gregory; Mooy, Sam (10 June 2022). "The Nationals suddenly find themselves with a new leader and in opposition. So where to now?". University of Wollongong. Archived from the original on 20 March 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ McHugh, Finn (12 April 2023) [23 December 2022]. "'Lost the faith': Nationals MP quits over party's Voice to Parliament stance". SBS News. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Ross, Isabella; Vidal, Paulina (4 May 2025). "Liberals retain handful of NSW seats as Labor, Teal vote surges in federal election". ABC News. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Jervis-Bardy, Dan; Butler, Josh (5 May 2025). "Labor poised to grow Senate numbers allowing it to pass legislation with only Greens support". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Giannini, Dominic (7 May 2025). "Coalition alliance rethink as city, rural divide opens". Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025 – via Yahoo! News.
- ^ Sakkal, Paul (8 May 2025). "Jacinta Price defects to Liberals, expected to run as Angus Taylor's deputy". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Dye, Josh and Twyford, Lottie (5 May 2025). "Regional Queensland is the LNP's last blue stronghold, but red is bleeding through". ABC News. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ a b Hevesi, Bryant (12 May 2025). "Nationals leadership race heats up as Michael McCormack says David Littleproud has earned the right to remain in top role amid challenge from Matt Canavan". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Vaarwerk, Alan (4 May 2025). "Barnaby Joyce to undergo surgery after being diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Sakkal, Paul and Ireland, Olivia (9 May 2025). "NT Nationals weigh retribution against Price for defection to Liberals". The Age. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ Hislop, Madeline (8 May 2025). "Jacinta Nampijinpa Price defects to Liberal Party". Women's Agenda. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Right-wing pro-life and anti-tax groups flood Nationals MPs with emails in support of Matt Canavan". The West Australian. 11 May 2025. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ "Shadow trade minister Kevin Hogan discusses reports Matt Canavan will challenge David Littleproud for the Nationals leadership". Facebook. Sky News Australia. 9 May 2025. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ Sakkal, Paul (11 May 2025). "Tim Wilson weighs tilt at Liberal leadership as Nationals' vote threatens Coalition agreement". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ Boscaini, Joshua and Wiseman, Lewis (12 May 2025). "Albanese announces new ministry and Littleproud remains Nationals leader — as it happened". ABC News. Will the Nationals remain unified after today's vote?. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Wong, Kat (12 May 2025). "Nationals leader fends off challenge after party vote". Neos Kosmos. AAP. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ Craig Kelly – Libertarian [@craigkellyXXX] (11 May 2025). "I wish Matt Canavan all the success" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ Campbell Newman [@CampbellNewman] (11 May 2025). "The Nationals have the opportunity to elect a leader who is articulate, focused and determined. Someone who can take a principled stand on important issues and defend regional Australia. That person is @mattjcan. Let's hope his colleagues get that" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Pauline Hanson throws support behind Matt Canavan for leadership of Nationals". Sky News Australia. 11 May 2025. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Shelton, Lyle [@LyleShelton] (10 May 2025). "Coalition leadership chaos: Suddenly, Family First's agenda is front and centre" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ Creighton, Adam [@Adam_Creighton] (9 May 2025). "Matt Canavan would be a terrific Nationals leader" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ Dean, Rowan [@rowandean] (10 May 2025). "Great piece by @mattjcan in the Oz – and why Matt Canavan MUST be voted leader of the Nats – contact your local Nats member (after your shower, of course) and demand it" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Back Matt Canavan!". backmatt.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ McIlroy, Tom (20 May 2025). "Nationals leaving Coalition as David Littleproud announces split with Liberal party after election defeat". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ "Breaking: Nationals to split from Coalition". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ Truu, Maani (20 May 2025). "Nationals call it quits on decades-long coalition with Liberals". ABC News. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ Staszewska, Ewa (20 May 2021). "No Coalition: How the Liberals and Nationals came together, and how they fell apart". SBS News. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "Littleproud leaves door open to re-joining Coalition in the future". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ Dan Jervis-Bardy & Josh Butler (28 May 2025). "Liberals and Nationals reach agreement to reunite Coalition a week after dramatic split". The Guardian.