Nationals MP Andrew Gee has resigned from the party and will move to the crossbench following divisions over the Indigenous voice to parliament.
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Mr Gee, who represents the western NSW seat of Calare, said he would immediately quit the Nationals due to the party's stance opposing the voice,.
"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 a statement.
"While I respect the views of my colleagues, this just isn't right. I didn't bring on the debate within the Nationals over the voice or the press conference that followed."
The Nationals have described the voice to parliament, which is set to go to a referendum in the second half of 2023, as divisive, and the body would do little to improve the lives of Indigenous people.
Mr Gee broke ranks with the Nationals following the party's announcement of its opposition to the voice, calling it "absurd" for him to be expected to change his stance on the issue.
He told the ABC the junior coalition partner was a different organisation to the one he first joined, and that he had lost faith with the party.
"The National Party you see today is not necessarily reflective of the way that our regional communities are growing and the way that they are developing including out here in the (NSW) central west," he said.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud said he was disappointed by Mr Gee's decision, but he had accepted his "unfortunate" departure.
"While the federal Nationals remain united in our decision to oppose the voice to parliament, I have stated from the beginning that one of the great things about our party room is the ability to have different opinions, and speak and vote freely on issues that matter to individual members and nothing has changed," Mr Littleproud said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he respected Mr Gee's decision and would work alongside the new crossbencher to promote the Yes vote for the voice.
"Andrew Gee has made a principled statement about his commitment to constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but also for a constitutionally recognised voice to parliament," he told reporters in Sydney.
Mr Gee said he had already spoken to the prime minister following his decision to quit the Nationals.
"I had a good conversation with him and it's a good working relationship there and I look to continue that," he told ABC TV.
Mr Gee was elected to the seat in 2016, after previously serving in NSW parliament.
Mr Albanese said the voice to parliament would be an opportunity to unite the country.
"This is not a government proposition, this is a proposition from the Australian people, a gracious offer which should be accepted," he said.
Mr Gee said the decision to quit the Nationals had been difficult, but he would be now able to serve his electorate "free from party constraints".
"I wish David Littleproud as leader of the Nationals well. He's a good man and he has my respect. This issue unfortunately runs deeper than the role of just one person," he said.
Australian Associated Press
