In the spotlight: Newly-elected Nationals leader David Littleproud at a press conference after a party room meeting at Parliament House in Canberra. Photo: AAP/Mick Tsikas)
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MICK TSIKAS
Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell’s first day in Canberra started with a marathon contest for the Nationals’ leadership, which was won by Queenslander David Littleproud.
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Barnaby Joyce and Darren Chester also stood for the leader’s position, which was decided at a party room meeting in Canberra that lasted more than two hours.
Mr Birrell would not reveal where his vote was directed.
The Nationals retained all their seats at the federal election, and Mr Littleproud will have discussions with new Liberal leader Peter Dutton about increased party representation.
NSW Senator Perin Davey, a strong advocate on water policy, was elected deputy leader, promising to "hold the new government to account and make sure they don't forget the regions".
Mr Littleproud indicated the Nationals would shift away from having a dominant leader controlling the narrative.
“No individual will continue to represent regional and rural Australia alone,” he said.
“It will be the team, the collective wisdom of those men and women, those 22 men and women in that room, that will drive the National Party into the future, that will drive regional and rural Australia, that will give it its voice right here in Canberra.”
Mr Birrell congratulated the new leader and deputy.
“This leadership team can enable the party to continue to advocate on behalf of rural and regional Australia on issues of critical importance to Nicholls, including water, agriculture and ensuring that the Murray-Darling Basin Plan does not strip further water from our irrigators,” he said.
“I also want to pay tribute to departing leader Barnaby Joyce, who has been a tireless champion for the regions.”
Mr Birrell said the party had challenges ahead in opposition, but a united team would hold the government to account.
Mr Littleproud said he would build on the legacy that former leaders Mr Joyce and Michael McCormack had left.
On the march: Newly-elected Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie, Nationals leader David Littleproud and Nationals deputy leader Perin Davey leave after a party room meeting at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday.
Photo by
MICK TSIKAS
“Today we start that journey towards 2025. We start it with the enthusiasm and energy of knowing that, while we held all our seats, there are emerging threats, there are emerging challenges, but we’re equipped to face them,” he said.
“We’re equipped to face them not because of me but because of my team and the diversity of our team.”
Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie was re-elected as Nationals Senate leader.
Despite some discussion in the wake of the election result for the Liberal Party, there seems no appetite to dismantle the Coalition in opposition.
"Obviously you've got to appreciate the National Party can't win an election by itself and this Liberal Party can't win an election by themselves," Mr Littleproud said.
"They need us. We need to work together. A sensible centre is where you win elections, not chasing extremities down rabbit holes."
Mr Littleproud expressed concern about the risks of Labor's 43 per cent 2030 emissions reduction target and signalled little shift on climate policy.
"We bring the commonsense to this place. We don't believe we have to mandate. We can incentivise and encourage, and I believe farmers should be at the centre of that,” Mr Littleproud said.
“That’s the commonsense way that the National party will continue to deal with these issues, but you’ve got to be honest with the Australian people. You have to look them square in the eye and tell them how you’re going to pay for it and who will pay for it. This is the problem we have.”
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