Nationals MP Keith Pitt has announced he will quit politics, implying his party had lost its “purpose” and blasting the Coalition’s decision to commit to net zero.
Pitt, the Member for Hinkler, said in a statement that he had told colleagues he would not be contesting the 2025 election. He called his time in politics “an incredible privilege … some extraordinary successes, many highs and some unfortunate lows”.
But in an interview with the Australian, Pitt was more candid about his reasons, telling the newspaper he and the party’s leader, David Littleproud, “have very different views on what’s the priority and direction for the Nationals”.
Pitt continued: “In my view, political parties without purpose soon disappear … I just think there’s been a shift in terms of policy positions that is sold as discipline but it’s more about obedience.”
Pitt also criticised Littleproud’s support of the Coalition’s net zero emissions targets, saying “green policies … have to be paid for” and that they have “there is literally zero impact on the temperature of the planet” while having “huge impacts on the wallets of regional people”.
A scientific consensus has found a pathway to net zero by 2050 will prevent the worst climate damage as caused by global human-caused emissions.
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In a statement, Littleproud did not respond to Pitt’s criticisms, wishing the outgoing politician “all the best in his new endeavours”.
When asked about the criticisms, the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, claimed Pitt was “frustrated” at not being given a frontbench promotion.
Pitt has been outspoken in his time in politics, both as a backbencher and in ministerial roles, most prominently as minister for resources under the Morrison government (sharing the portfolio for a time with Morrison himself).
The Hinkler MP had also been an agitator against the direction of Littleproud’s leadership, with Pitt’s name bandied about as a potential challenger – or supporter of a challenge – for the Nationals leadership for some time, including backing Barnaby Joyce.
In his outgoing statement, Pitt acknowledged some would be glad to see him go.
“While I know some will be disappointed, I’m sure my decision will be warmly welcomed by others. I wish Peter Dutton every success in 2025,” Pitt said.
His statement ended with a quote attributed to Martin Luther King: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Pitt is the latest Coalition MP to announce their retirement ahead of the next election, joining Simon Birmingham, Paul Fletcher, Linda Reynolds, Karen Andrews, David Gillespie, Warren Entsch, Gavin Pearce and Rowan Ramsey.
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Dutton told Sunrise that Pitt was “an incredibly smart guy”.
“He’s frustrated with being on the backbench, I understand that. He’s had a job offer in the private sector and he’s going to take that. He’s made an enormous contribution as a minister and as the member for Hinkler in Bundaberg,” he said.
Matt Canavan, a Nationals senator, praised Pitt as “one of a few lonely voices calling out the insanity of our net zero emissions target”.
“Everyday [sic] that Australia loses more manufacturing jobs and gets higher energy prices vindicates Keith’s position,” Canavan wrote on X, alongside a photo of the two men holding large lumps of coal in a Parliament House courtyard.
Today my friend and colleague @keithjpitt announced he will retire from Parliament at the next election.
Keith and I were first elected in 2013. Over the 11 years since, Keith has been a warrior for the rural communities and industries that sustain our nation.
Keith was a… pic.twitter.com/ywFbSdavxg
— Senator Matt Canavan (@mattjcan) December 20, 2024
Birmingham told Sky News that the relationship between the Liberals and Nationals was “pretty good” but that “there is always a bit of a tension point there”.
“I think it’s important that we never let the tail wag the dog, that the Liberal party stands up for itself and is clear in terms of its values and opinions, but I absolutely acknowledge the important role and place that the National party have.”
