National Party leader David Littleproud tried on Sunday morning to hose down speculation he could soon face a challenge for his position, with a serial candidate in line to replace him.
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Bruised Nationals MPs are warning it will take some time to mend the bitter divisions within the party following Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce’s ousting of Michael McCormack and his allies from the ministry.
Mr Joyce’s decision to dump both Victorian MP Darren Chester and Queenslander Keith Pitt from cabinet and elevate two of his backers, Bridget McKenzie and Andrew Gee, mirrored a similar reshuffle in December 2017, which many Nationals believe started three years of animosity within the party room.
Bridget McKenzie and Andrew Gee (top ) were winners from the reshuffle, while Darren Chester and Keith Pitt were dumped from cabinet.