David Littleproud will continue as federal leader of the Nationals after a party room vote in Canberra, seeing off a challenge from his colleague Matt Canavan.

Canavan will contest the leadership with current leader David Littleproud today, despite the Nationals having performed relatively well in the recent election that saw Labor sweep to power with an increased majority government. The Queensland senator told Today that he did not believe Australians had "a proper choice" at the polls on May 3.

After settling a leadership battle, the Nationals have a broader fight on their hands as they debate whether to continue backing a key climate target.