David Littleproud has been elected as the new leader of the conservative National party after a party room vote on Monday, ousting incumbent Barnaby Joyce and former minister Darren Chester.
Senator Perin Davey from New South Wales will be the deputy leader.
In his first press conference as leader, Littleproud said the Nationals, which is the minor party in the centre-right Coalition, are “the conscience of rural and regional Australia” in the parliament.
“This is the proudest day of my professional life,” he said on May 30.
Meanwhile, Davey promised that the Nationals would “continue to be a strong voice for the regions.”…