DAVID Littleproud today resigned as Leader of The Nationals and requested a party room meeting later this week to choose a new Leader.

In a statement released late today, Mr Littleproud said leading the Nationals has been an enormous honour and privilege, but concedes he is no longer the best person to lead the party.

“The Leader must be able to give everything they have, but after the last few months, I have come to realise that I no longer have the energy required to do this job to the best of my ability,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I love The Nationals and regional Australia too much not to give it everything.

“My colleagues trusted me with their support three times when choosing who should lead The Nationals, and I will be forever grateful,” he said.

Mr Littleproud said his concern is for the ongoing success and strength of The Nationals.

“With two years until the next election, and the Coalition relationship now restored and strong, it is the right time to refresh the leadership of The Nationals,” he said.

“Equal to my love of the party, is my love for the people of Maranoa and I am dedicated to continuing to keep fighting for them every day.

“I look forward to spending more time back in Queensland, helping locals deal with the challenges they face.”

David Littleproud in Moree last year.

Mr Littleproud said leading a political party takes a toll.

“There is a price paid by those closest to you,” he said.

“I could not have been Leader of The Nationals without the love and support of my family, close friends, and staff.

“Our new Leader will have my support, and I am passionate about working with that person to see The Nationals succeed.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he and Mr Littleproud come from very different political traditions and backgrounds.

“But we share a mutual respect for the great honour of serving in the Parliament of Australia and have been able to work together on many issues affecting his community, the regions and our national interest,” Mr Albanese said.

“It is a significant achievement to be chosen to lead your party and David can look back on his four years as Leader of Nationals and ten years as Member for Maranoa knowing he has given his utmost.

“I wish him well. and I am sure he will continue to make a contribution on the backbench in the service of his regional Queensland electorate,” Mr Albanese said.

Leader of The NSW Nationals, Gurmesh Singh, said Mr Littleproud has led the Federal Nationals with clear direction, collaboration and passion.

“Being the Leader of the Federal Nationals demands your time – more time than many people realise, travelling around regional Australia and being away from your family,” Mr Singh said.

“David’s time as Federal Leader will be marked by his advocacy on behalf of regional Australians, even when policy and politics were incredibly difficult to manage.

“The Nationals movement in New South Wales thanks David for his service since coming to the leadership.

“I count him as a mate, and wish him all the best as he continues to represent Maranoa,” Mr Singh said.

Mr Littleproud said that during leadership over the past four years, the party has faced some of the most difficult challenges since John ‘Blackjack’ McEwen was Leader.

“We have fought some tough battles and achieved great outcomes for regional Australia,” he said.

“We led the fight against the Voice to Parliament, led the scrapping of the Coalition’s commitment to Net Zero by developing our Cheaper Better Fairer Energy and Climate Plan, we have secured a commitment for the Regional

“Australia Future Fund which will deliver up to $1 billion a year in additional funding for regional communities under a Coalition government and secured big stick divestiture powers to crack down on big supermarkets as Coalition policy.

“In the face of the most devastating election loss in modern times, The Nationals held our incumbent House of Representatives seats, including the most expensive Teal campaign in the country, in Cowper, and achieved a swing of almost 10 per cent to The Nationals, nearly winning the safe Labor seat of Bendigo,” he said.

“I have great faith in Angus Taylor’s ability to lead the Coalition and believe that he is the right person to reconnect the Coalition with the Australian people, with the right plan to restore our standard of living and protect our way of life.

“I look forward to continuing to work alongside my National Party colleagues with Angus Taylor’s Liberal Party in a strong Coalition opposition,” Mr Littleproud said.