'I don't care': Nationals leader puts job on the line

The threat of a leadership spill looms over David Littleproud after his party’s messy and short-lived split from the coalition.

But he doesn’t care.

As the two parties put a pause on their shock break up, internal turmoil and rumoured calls for a leadership challenge have bubbled among the Nationals.

The grumbling follows a fierce backlash from the Liberals and former coalition prime ministers.

Despite this, Mr Littleproud remained resolute that his party had taken a principled step when a majority voted to part ways with the Liberals over policy disagreements.

“I’d rather go to (the party room) standing for something and if I have to lose my job for it, I don’t care,” he told Sky News on Sunday.

“This was a principled decision that the men and women of my party room made.

“I’m proud of them ... (proud of) the fact that we got we got an outcome in two or three days because of principles over politics.”

The Nationals sought guarantees on four key policies: a recommitment to nuclear power, a regional investment fund, rural telecommunications coverage and supermarket divestiture powers.

The Liberals wanted to put all policies up for review after its worst federal election result since World War II.

The conservative allies exchanged peace offerings when they agreed to postpone shadow cabinet announcements and allow a cooling-off period.

Mr Littleproud expects to formalise a coalition deal with Liberal leader Sussan Ley in coming days after she offered in-principle support for the policies.

The chaos and back-and-forth raised questions over Mr Littleproud’s future as the party’s leader.

Mr Littleproud has already faced a leadership challenge from senator Matt Canavan a week earlier over climate policy, and though he held his own, the leader did not say whether the party would stay committed to net zero emissions by 2050.

When later asked if Mr Littleproud had his full support, former Nationals leader Michael McCormack said he was “ambitious for him”, the same comment made by former prime minister Scott Morrison before he rolled Malcolm Turnbull as Liberal leader in 2018.

Party deputy Kevin Hogan believed Mr Littleproud should remain leader and noted Senator Canavan had congratulated the incumbent as the split played out.

He also batted away suggestions Mr McCormack should return to the party’s top job.

“This is a hypothetical that is not on the cards,” Mr Hogan told ABC’s Insiders.

“David Littleproud has very, very strong support in the Nationals party room.”

Mr Hogan maintained any disputes over the net zero policy was “settled years ago” and said it was not up for review.