National Party of Australia
A clear guide to the National Party of Australia: its history representing rural and regional Australia, its centre-right agrarian ideology, and its long-standing coalition with the Liberals.
Overview
- Country
- Australia
- Founded
- 1920
- Position
- Centre-right, agrarian
- Leader
- David Littleproud
- Headquarters
- Canberra
The National Party of Australia, usually called the Nationals, is a centre-right party that represents rural and regional Australia. It has been the junior partner in coalition with the Liberal Party for most of the past century, and together they form the main alternative to Labor.
The party focuses on the interests of farmers, regional communities, and resource industries, and it combines economic conservatism with a strong regional and agrarian identity.
History
The party was founded in 1920 as the Country Party, growing out of farmers' movements seeking a distinct voice in national politics. It quickly established the coalition arrangement with the main non-Labor party that has largely endured ever since.
Renamed the National Party, it has provided several deputy prime ministers and held key portfolios in Coalition governments, particularly those affecting agriculture, resources, and regional development. It has generally maintained its rural base even as Australia has urbanised.
Economic Policy
The Nationals support free enterprise and lower taxes but also favour targeted government support for regional Australia, including infrastructure, drought assistance, and services for rural communities. They strongly back agriculture, mining, and resource development, and have often pressed for practical rather than ambitious climate measures on cost grounds.
Foreign Policy
The Nationals support the US alliance and a strong defence, and they place particular emphasis on trade access for Australian agricultural and resource exports. They favour a foreign and trade policy that protects the interests of regional producers.
Where They Stand
- Represents rural and regional Australia
- Strongly backs agriculture, mining, and resource industries
- Supports targeted government investment in regional infrastructure
- Favours practical, cost-focused climate measures
- Generally socially conservative in emphasis
- Governs in long-standing coalition with the Liberals
Electoral Record
As a smaller party the Nationals do not aim to govern alone, but through the Coalition they have long shared in government and held senior positions. Their support is concentrated in rural and regional seats, which they have generally held even through difficult national elections.
Position on the Political Compass
National Party of Australia sits on the right-leaning side on economics and is more authoritarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
John McEwen
Long-serving leader and briefly Prime Minister in 1967
A dominant figure who shaped the Country Party's economic protectionism and its central role in Coalition governments.
David Littleproud
Leader of the National Party
Leads the Nationals as the junior Coalition partner, focusing on regional Australia, agriculture, and resource industries.
Sources and Further Reading
- National Party of Australia (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitenationals.org.au
- 2025 Australian federal election (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Australia political test to see how your views compare with National Party of Australia and the other parties.
Take the Australia Test
Social Policy
The party is generally socially conservative, reflecting the values of its regional base. It emphasises community, tradition, and the concerns of country Australia, and it often takes more traditional positions than its urban Coalition partner on social questions.