Littleproud said he was disappointed by Gee’s decision but accepted his departure, adding that his colleague had always been free to vote his way on the floor.
“While Federal Nationals remain united in our decision to oppose The Voice in Parliament, I have said from the start that one of the great things about our Party Room is the ability to have different views and speak and vote freely on issues important to individual members and nothing has changed,” Littleproud said in a statement.
Gee’s decision to leave the Nationals will mean Littleproud and opposition leader Peter Dutton will have to make minor changes to their forward team.
The Nationals announced at a heated press conference in November that they would formally oppose the vote in parliament, but the party had split on the issue within a day.
Nationals leader David Littleproud and Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price announced the party’s position on The Voice on 28 November. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
loading
Gee, who was the minister for veterans affairs and defense personnel in the Morrison government, was the first to break ranks to voice his support.
The Western Australian state branch also expressed support for the referendum and former federal leader Michael McCormack said the party could reverse its position next year, depending on the details of the proposal.
Albanese described Gee’s resignation as an “extraordinary political development” that left the federal opposition with one less vote in parliament.
“Andrew Gee’s statement is one of principle,” Albanese said. “I’m looking forward to working with him and I hope the members of the Liberal Party, the cross board members who want to recognize, see this as an opportunity to bring our nation together. That’s what it should be.
“I am pleased that Andrew Gee is campaigning for a yes vote, but I also say to other members of parliament: don’t miss your chance to be part of enriching our nation and making us even stronger in the future.”
loading
In his statement, Gee said: “I was once a true believer, but I am no longer.
“Today’s National Party is very different from that of my youth. I think I can better represent the voters of Calare and our region by talking about the issues, free from the limitations and expectations of the party.”
The Liberals have not yet declared whether they will support or oppose the Voice or allow their MPs a free vote.