2020 National Party of Australia leadership spill


A leadership spill for the federal leadership of the National Party of Australia was held on 4 February 2020, and was called by the Member for Wide Bay, Llew O'Brien.
The spill was called amid reports that former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce was considering a challenge against the incumbent, Michael McCormack. Following the spill in the regularly scheduled party room meeting, McCormack retained his position as leader. Some National MPs claimed the vote was as close as 11 to 10, however others say it was closer to 16-5.
A ballot for the deputy leadership was also held following Bridget McKenzie's resignation following the 2018–20 "Sports rorts" affair. It was won by David Littleproud.

Candidates

Declared

;Leader
;Deputy Leader
;Deputy Leader
As Matt Canavan resigned the day before the spill to support Joyce in the leadership spill, Canavan joined McKenzie in the backbenches. However, they remained deputy and leader of the Nationals in the Senate, despite losing their ministerial portfolios, as the other 3 Nationals senators were first-termers.
On 10 February 2020, O'Brien quit the Nationals party room and sat with neither Nationals nor the Liberals, but remain as a member of the Liberal National Party and a government member. He was subsequently elected the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives when nominated unexpectedly by the Opposition against the Government's nominated choice, Nationals MP Damian Drum.