Nationals backbencher Colin Boyce has announced he will challenge party leader David Littleproud on Monday.
Boyce announced he wants to stand for the leadership because Littleproud “has made some bad decisions recently.”
The challenge comes a week after the Nationals split from its Coalition partner, the Liberal Party, over a disagreement about hate speech reform.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Last week, the Nationals broke from the Liberals over a bill to reform hate speech law following the Bondi terror attack.
The Nationals members of the Shadow Cabinet tendered their resignations, with party leader David Littleproudlater announcing the Coalition hadsplit.
In a statement, Littleproud said: “Remaining in a Coalition with the Liberal Party under the leadership of Sussan Ley has become untenable and cannot continue.”
Boyce
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Boyce has represented the central Queensland electorate of Flynn since 2022.
Boyce is a backbencher, meaning he has not been assigned to a portfolio. This means he was not part of the Shadow Cabinet that resigned last week, leading to the split.
In a Sky News interview on Wednesday, Boyce announced he will challenge Littleproud’s leadership, saying: “If [the Nationals] follow the course they’re on now, we are going over the political cliff.”
What’s next?
Boyce said he will introduce a leadership spill motion to the Nationals party room on Monday afternoon.
This is a physical space in Parliament House where Nationals members discuss policy and leadership behind closed doors.
Parliament’s first sitting since the Coalition split is set for Tuesday.
In a statement to TDA, Littleproud said he has “always respected... the right to voice different opinions,” and stands by his “record as Leader.”
