A teary David Littleproud has quit as Nationals leader, declaring he has “done all I can” in the role.

Littleproud made the announcement alongside his wife, Amelia, in a Canberra press conference called at short notice on Tuesday.

“I intend to resign as the leader of the National Party. I’ve got to a juncture where I believe it’s time. I believe that it is now time to transition to a new leader,” he said.

“I have had enough. To lead this great party would be the wrong thing for me. I love it, I grew up in it and to the day I die I will be green and gold, I love it – and it would be wrong for me to say I’m the right person to have the energy, I am out and done.”

Littleproud attracted controversy in the aftermath of the 2025 election, after he announced he would not renew the Coalition agreement with the Liberals over policy. That split lasted only a few days before there was a reunification.

It was followed by a second split in January following a dispute over hate speech laws, before the parties again got back together.

Pressed on why his decision had come only weeks after that and the replacement of Sussan Ley as Liberal leader by Angus Taylor, Littleproud said he was tired.

“I’m buggered, mate. I’m out on my feet … I had the greatest and the most fun I’ve ever had before the last election and during the last election. I had a passion, a pride in what I was representing. And I’m just buggered and you get buggered in this, that’s the nature of the business,” he said.

He also said he had intended to quit after the Coalition reformed, but held on until the departure of Ley – with whom he reportedly did not get on.

“The values and principles that Angus [Taylor] has brought back to the Coalition gives me confidence that the Coalition is on the right track,” Littleproud said.

Fellow Nationals were reportedly blindsided by the sudden announcement.

“I did not see this coming,” one senior MP told The Australian.

Taylor was full of praise for Littleproud, saying he had made a great contribution in four years as leader.

“We have had a difficult time in the Coalition … He is a man of his word, he is a man of his handshake and I have found that consistently, not just in the last few weeks since I become leader,” he said.

“I think David is a man of great dignity the who has led his party great energy and commitment. I know he will support continue to support the National Party, the Coalition and this great country and I thank him for his extraordinary service.”

Despite quitting as party leader, Littleproud said he would stay on as the member for the Queensland seat of Maranoa, one of the safest seats in the country.

“I’m proud of all I’ve done. I’m proud of all I’ve achieved,” he said.

He entered parliament in 2016 and was elected leader of the Nationals in 2022 after the Coalition’s election defeat.

He has not nominated a successor.

-with AAP