The fracturing of Australia’s Coalition has triggered a civil war within the National Party. Colin Boyce, the outspoken MP for Flynn, has formally declared his intention to topple leader David Littleproud, accusing the current leadership of steering the party off a "political cliff" and into oblivion.

The challenge, set for a party room showdown next Monday, comes in the wake of the Nationals’ explosive decision to split from the Liberal Party over hate speech laws. Boyce contends that this divorce is not a principled stand but an act of "political suicide" that leaves the party vulnerable to a predatory right-wing insurgency.

The "Right-Flank" Onslaught

"The National Party now faces a right-flank onslaught from One Nation if they go it alone to the next election," Boyce warned in a candid interview. His argument is strategic: without the resources, fundraising machinery, and staffing numbers of the Coalition, a standalone National Party is a sitting duck for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, which appeals to the same disenchanted rural voter base.

David Littleproud, however, remains defiant. He defends the split as a necessary defense of free speech, arguing that the hate speech laws were a "slippery slope." Yet, the internal unrest is undeniable. Boyce’s motion to spill the leadership is a clear signal that a significant faction believes the party has lost its way.

• The Trigger: The split occurred after Opposition Leader Sussan Ley accepted the resignations of three National senators who crossed the floor.
• The Rivals: While Boyce is the first to declare, eyes are also on conservative heavyweights like Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie, though they have yet to show their cards.
• The Climate Angle: Boyce, a founding member of a club promoting climate science denial, has previously called blackouts a "political opportunity," signaling that his leadership would likely drag the party further to the right on environmental issues.

A House Divided

The stakes for rural Australia are immense. A fragmented opposition hands the Labor government a significant tactical advantage. "We must have the courage to admit when we are wrong," Boyce implied, calling for a reunion with the Liberals.

As Monday approaches, the numbers are being crunched in Canberra corridors. Littleproud may survive the spill, but his authority has been permanently scarred. The Nationals are no longer just fighting for the bush; they are fighting for their own survival.