‘Not reflective’: Former Nationals MP Andrew Gee turns on party over Voice to Parliament stance

Long-serving Nationals MP Andrew Gee has turned on his own party, claiming it is “not reflective” of regional Australian communities after quitting to join the crossbench in federal parliament.

Mr Gee, who holds the federal NSW seat of Calare, announced on Friday he would quit the Nationals to sit as an Independent.

He said the party’s opposition to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, along with the wake of devastation from recent flooding, was the catalyst for his decision.

Speaking with reporters later in the day, he said he had “lost the faith” in the Nationals amid their dwindling numbers year on year.

“The National Party today is very different to the National Party I grew up with,” he told ABC News.

“The National Party you see today is not necessarily reflective of the way our regional communities are growing and developing.”

A month ago, Nationals leader David Littleproud announced the party would be opposing the Voice policy as it would not deal with the real issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“It will not economically empower Indigenous people,” Mr Littleproud said.

“We believe this will be a voice for Redfern, not for Indigenous communities in regional, rural and remote Australia, in places like Cunnamulla, Alice Springs and Carnarvon.”

Mr Gee said he supported the Voice and had made his position clear to members.

“Any party needs opposing political points of view … it makes for a robust discussion and good policy,” he said.

“What was purported to be a united front opposing the Voice was put forward, which was not my position. I don’t know why it had to happen so quickly.

“The rest of Australia will get a free vote at a referendum, yet for National Party MPs, a party position has been taken with an expectation we will fall behind that, and vote accordingly.

“There just comes a point where you can make too many compromises.”

In a statement, Mr Littleproud said he was “disappointed” in Mr Gee’s decision to leave the Nationals but said he had always been free to make his own decision and vote accordingly on the Voice.

“We will continue to work hard for western NSW and find a candidate who will best represent them at the next federal election,” he said.

Mr Gee has held the NSW seat of Calare since 2016.

He was also elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly for Orange in 2011 and served as the Defence Personnel Minister from 2021 to 2022.

Mr Gee said he felt the Nationals’ decision to oppose the Voice to Parliament and witnessing the devastating NSW floods “really brought home to me the importance of being able to stand up and be counted”.

“I can’t reconcile the fact that every Australian will get a free vote on the vitally important issue of the Voice, yet National Party MPs are expected to fall into line behind a party position that I fundamentally disagree with, and vote accordingly in Parliament,” he said in his statement.

“While I respect the views of my colleagues, this just isn’t right.

“As the discussion on this issue around Australia builds, I want that freedom to put forward my point of view as I don’t foresee the Nationals’ policy on the Voice changing.

“While I accept that in politics compromises have to be made, there comes a point where not speaking out freely can compromise the interests of those we represent.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was an “extraordinary political development” but that he respected Mr Gee’s position.

“Andrew Gee’s statement is one of principle,” he said.

“I look forward to working with him and members of the Liberal Party, crossbenchers across the board who want to recognise – who see this as an opportunity to unite our nation.”

He said he was pleased Mr Gee would be pushing for a “yes” vote on the change.

“Andrew Gee has made a principal statement about his commitment to constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but also a constitutionally recognised Voice to Parliament,” he said.