Michael McCormack defeats Barnaby Joyce to retain Nationals leadership

Michael McCormack has retained his role as leader of the Nationals party, saying there has "never before been such an important time" for the party.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack talks to the media after a Nationals leadership spill at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, 4 February, 2020.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack talks to the media after a Nationals leadership spill at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, 4 February, 2020. Source: AAP

Michael McCormack says the party will be renewing its focus on regional Australia, after he was re-elected as leader of the Nationals party.

Mr McCormack fended off a challenge from former leader Barnaby Joyce, but did not release the results of the ballot. 

"I'd like to think the entire National Party team, and I know they will now unite," Mr McCormack told reporters at Parliament House.

"The fact is, I shook hands with Barnaby. We will move on. We will move on and work hard together."

He said he has been endorsed as party leader "three times in less than two years", which should put to rest any further challenges from Mr Joyce.

"I think that is enough to warrant me leading the party going forward."
David Littleproud is the new deputy leader of the Nationals party.
David Littleproud is the new deputy leader of the Nationals party. Source: SBS
"It's a great honour and a privilege to continue to serve as the leader of the National Party."

He said it is now time to end any dispute over the leadership and put the people of regional Australia first.
"We have your back, whether it's drought, we have your back whether it's building new dam infrastructure," he said.

"Regional Australia has a bright future. We will be there to ensure the right policies and the right infrastructure's in place to realise the potential of the future.

It is the first time a Nationals leader has been challenged, prompting a party room vote, in more than 30 years.
Queenslander David Littleproud was named as the party's deputy leader. 

The Natural Disaster and Emergency Management Minister said it is a huge honour to be recognised. 

"This is a proud day for me."

'Shenanigans are over'

Mr Littleproud said he wanted the party to focus on serving Australians from here on out. 

"The shenanigans are over, it's time to get back to looking after those people that are facing drought, that have faced up to the fires. It's time for us to focus on them, not us. The party has to focus on that.

"We've lost too many young people out of regional and rural Australia, it's time to bring them home, time for them to believe in regional."

Matt Canavan resigned as resources minister from the Morrison government Cabinet on Monday, after he backed Barnaby Joyce in the Nationals leadership spill.
"We need a bulldog, we need a fighter," he told reporters in Canberra ahead of the party room vote.

The party was forced to choose a new deputy leader to replace dumped minister Bridget McKenzie after the sports grants scandal.

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Published 3 February 2020 5:50pm
Updated 4 February 2020 11:18am
By SBS News
Source: SBS



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