Miranda Live: ‘Mates have blues sometimes’: David Littleproud calls for Coalition unity
NATIONALS rising star David Littleproud has called for unity between the Nats and the Liberal party in the wake of the Barnaby Joyce saga, saying “good mates have blues sometimes. But obviously they shake hands go to the pub and have a beer”.
NATIONALS rising star David Littleproud has called for unity between the Nats and the Liberal party in the wake of the Barnaby Joyce saga, saying “good mates have blues sometimes. But obviously they shake hands go to the pub and have a beer”.
The rookie politician, who’s been in federal parliament for just 18 months, briefly looked like a contender to become Deputy Prime Minister this week before bowing out in lieu of Michael McCormack.
He spoke with Miranda Devine on her online radio show Miranda Live today, telling her the newly appointed Nationals leadership would now examine the Coalition agreement.
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“Look that’s a matter for Michael (McCormack) but I think the Coalition Agreement is something that we work through that benefits both regional Australia and all of Australia,” the Queensland National told Devine.
The Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources bowed out of the leadership race at the 11th hour this week, saying party unity was more important.
“You know what, it wasn’t my time, I took the step and made sure that we did have a seamless transition and we get on with the job now,” he said.
“Yeah, I think the reality is Michael will be a different leader, we have to understand that. I mean Barnaby is a force of nature that we will probably never see again.”
With Veterans Affairs Minister Michael McCormack now in charge, Mr Littleproud said it was important to carry on running the country.
“Good mates have blues sometimes,” he said, when asked if the Coalition had been damaged by the Joyce saga.
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“But obviously they shake hands, go to the pub and have a beer. Coalitions have duelled for decades and the reality is, we look and go: “well what’s the alternative? Bill Shorten?”.
“And you know what? They (Labor) don’t give a hoot about regional Australia, a Labor politician west of the Great Divide would be nothing more than lost — they don’t care, they don’t understand about how our lifestyles are and what’s important to us.”
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