National Party of Australia

Australian political party, favouring free enterprise and seeking to promote the interests of people outside the major metropolitan areas. It holds the balance of power between Liberals and Labor. It was formed in 1916 as the Country Party of Australia and adopted its present name in 1982. It gained strength following the introduction of proportional representation in 1918 and was in coalition with the Liberals 1949–83. Since 1996 it has partnered the Liberal Party led by prime minister John Howard in a coalition government. The party leader and (deputy prime minister) is Mark Vaile, who succeeded John Anderson in 2005.