Former Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester will challenge Barnaby Joyce for Nationals leadership when the party meets in Canberra on Monday.
Chester confirmed his intention to nominate for leadership on Thursday afternoon, telling The Age and Sydney Morning Herald that it was “time for a change”.
National Deputy Darren Chester Credit: Simon Schluter
“We need to be honest with each other in the party hall and take some responsibility for the liberal losses in the city,” Chester said.
“The way we develop our policies, convey our message and work with our coalition partners in the future will determine whether we can return to government and offer to the regional communities.”
Following the Coalition’s electoral defeat, the city’s furious Liberal MPs have expressed frustration with Joyce’s comments during the campaign ridiculing the Coalition’s zero-zero emissions policy, which it says has damaged its electoral chances. .
Loading
While the National Party held all 16 seats in the lower house in Saturday’s federal election, the Liberal Party lost a number of previously secure constituencies in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to more moderate Liberal MPs.
In the days leading up to the election, Joyce has repeatedly dismissed criticism that her comments on the goal of zero net emissions had hurt her Coalition colleagues.
Three Nationals MPs, speaking to The Age and Sydney Morning Herald on condition of anonymity, said they also expect Deputy Leader David Littleproud to present a challenge on Monday.