Nationals leader David Littleproud survives failed leadership spill

Monday, 2 February 2026 08:23

MP Colin Boyce is set to call a spill today as politicians return to federal parliament.

David Littleproud will remain the federal Nationals leader after the leadership spill launched by backbench MP Colin Boyce failed.

Nationals whip Michelle Landry confirmed the spill motion at today's partyroom meeting was unsuccessful.

Boyce's challenge was tipped to fail following a lack of support among the party's MPs.

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Nationals leader David Littleproud during the Nationals Federal Council at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on Saturday 1 November 2025. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Landry did not confirm how many voted for or against the motion, as is standard practice for Nationals partyroom motions.

Littleproud is expected to meet with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley today at 6pm, however it remains unknown if a reunion with the Coalition is on the cards yet.

Boyce earlier said he was mounting a challenge over his party's decision to split from the Liberals triggered when the National Party voted against new hate speech laws last month after their unsuccessful amendment to the bill.

The Queensland MP claimed the Nationals were "asleep at the wheel".

Last weekend, Littleproud declared he had "no issues" with Boyce challenging him for the leader's job.

"He is well within his right (to challenge for the leadership)," Littleproud told Today.

"I'll take counsel from my colleagues and I'll take their guidance and their decision."I believe passionately in the National Party and no matter the result, I'll accept."

Littleproud said the Nationals did not want to operate in a party room where "unilateral" decisions would be made.

But the Nationals and their former Coalition partners, the Liberal Party, have recorded dismal polling with voters flocking to One Nation.

Boyce, who has been in federal parliament since 2022, has previously said the Nationals needed to change direction, and remain in the Coalition to challenge the increasing threat from Pauline Hanson's party.

He announced last week that he will challenge Littleproud for the leadership of their party, describing the decision to split the Coalition for the second time in a year as "political suicide".

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