Nationals Leader David Littleproud says he took the 'pragmatic step' to accept the Albanese government's invitation to the Jobs and Skill Summit and will take the opportunity with 'both hands'.
He said the Albanese government didn't initially invite the Nationals to the summit because they were an 'afterthought'.
'We believe, as a party that represents solely regional and rural Australia, we very rarely get our voice heard,' he told Sky News Australia.
'We're the forgotten Australians and it was important no matter how hollow this may be that we turned up and prosecuted a case for regional Australia.'
