Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Today the Nationals parliamentary party room voted for a new leadership team after the decision by the former leader, the member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, to stand down. And, refreshingly, there was no plot. There was no undermining of David Littleproud. David made the decision himself to stand down as leader. So I want to thank him for his humility and the authenticity he showed throughout his time in the role and thank him for his dedication to a difficult task. In that same vein, I want to recognise the member for Page, Kevin Hogan, who served as deputy leader and didn't contest the deputy's position this morning. Thank you, Kevin, for your service to our party, and I'm sure you'll continue to make a major contribution to the Nationals.

After 18 years in this place, I am now an overnight success as the new deputy leader of the Nationals. But this is not about me in any way, shape or form. This is about the people who send us here to represent them and achieve good outcomes on their behalf. And I'm concerned that, after almost four years of this prime minister, Australians are worse off and too many people have been left behind by a prime minister who promised to govern for all Australians. The clear message I'm getting from voters in regional Australia is that they are angry, they are frustrated and they want our mob on this side to do a better job too. And we stand ready to do that. Under the new leadership of the Liberal Party and the new leadership of the National Party, I'm sure we will be able to hold this government to account and continue to deliver on behalf of regional Australians. I'm honoured to be given the opportunity. I want to thank my staff, thank my family and thank my colleagues for showing their support today. Thank you.

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