Boyce Challenges Littleproud for Nationals Party Leadership, Points to Coalition Split

‘The National party now faces a right-flank onslaught from One Nation if they go it alone to the next election,’ said Nationals MP Colin Boyce.

Nationals MP Colin Boyce at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 23, 2023. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Nationals Party MP Colin Boyce has announced he will challenge David Littleproud for the leadership of the regional party, saying it is currently “committing political suicide” by breaking from the Coalition.

The Queensland federal MP confirmed he will move a spill motion at the Nationals party room meeting on Feb. 1 and put himself forward as a leadership contender, escalating internal turmoil that has followed the party’s second split from the Liberal Party since May 2025.