Nationals Leader David Littleproud Resigns, Will Remain Maranoa MP; Cites Exhaustion and Family Toll
David Littleproud resigned as leader of The Nationals on March 10, 2026, citing exhaustion and the need for a leadership refresh. He will remain MP for Maranoa and plans to contest the 2028 election.
David Littleproud announced his resignation as leader of The Nationals at a press conference on March 10, 2026, saying party leadership had taken a personal toll and he no longer had the energy required to continue. His wife, Amelia Littleproud, was present at the event.
Littleproud told reporters, “I’m buggered; I’ve had enough,” and framed the move as necessary to secure the party’s long-term success. He said he had originally planned to step down earlier in the year after the Coalition reunited.
He notified The Nationals Chief Whip of his intention to resign and requested a party room meeting to elect a new leader. Littleproud said the restored Coalition relationship and a two-year window until the next federal election made the timing appropriate for a leadership change.
Littleproud confirmed he will remain the Member for Maranoa and intends to contest the next federal election in 2028. He said he plans to focus on his electorate and spend more time with his family while remaining in Parliament.
In his written resignation statement, Littleproud highlighted policy achievements during his four years as party leader, including opposing the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, scrapping the Coalition’s Net Zero commitment in favour of a Cheaper Better Fairer Energy and Climate Plan, securing a Regional Australia Future Fund that would provide up to $1 billion a year for regional communities under a Coalition government, and obtaining big-stick divestiture powers aimed at large supermarket chains.
He also referenced the Nationals’ electoral performance after a difficult national election, noting the party held incumbent House seats, achieved a swing of about 10% to The Nationals and nearly won the seat of Bendigo.
Littleproud reiterated his support for Angus Taylor as the Liberal leader and said he intended to work with Taylor to rebuild the Coalition’s standing with voters while serving in opposition.
Background details included in the announcement note Littleproud has led The Nationals since 2022, has represented Maranoa since his election to the House of Representatives in 2016 with subsequent re-elections in 2019, 2022 and 2025, and has held ministerial portfolios in agriculture and related areas. Born on September 4, 1976 in Chinchilla, he previously worked in banking and agribusiness and was educated at Chinchilla State High School and Toowoomba Grammar School.