The leader of the NSW Nationals, Dugald Saunders, has announced he is stepping down.
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In a statement on November 17, Mr Saunders, the member for Dubbo, said it had been an "honour" to lead the Parliamentary team during a "challenging time in Opposition".
"I've always done my best to represent regional NSW," he said.
Mr Saunders became the leader of the Nationals party in 2023 after Paul Toole, the Member for Bathurst, spent more than two years in the position.
At the time, A Nationals party insider confirmed to the Daily Liberal that Mr Saunders was selected to be the party's new leader, winning the vote 10 to five.
After two years, Mr Saunders said it was a "difficult decision" to step aside.
"It's the right time for me to take a step back and focus more on my family and myself," he said.
Mr Saunders said it was also the right time to allow a new leader to take up the fight ahead of the next election.
"I thank my family, my staff, my team and the party, for all of their support," he said.
He will continue to serve the people of the Dubbo electorate as their local state member.
The potential candidates
So who will step up to lead the party?
Here are the potential candidates:
Paul Toole MP: Shadow Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Member for Bathurst.
Mr Toole has been the Member for Bathurst since 2011.
He previously held the leadership at the Nationals for about 18 months - October 2021 to May 2023 - before being challenged by Dugald Saunders for the role.
Has held a number of portfolios in his 14 years on Macquarie Street, including the minister for police, minister for racing and minister for local government.
Kevin Anderson MP: Shadow Minister for Tourism, Shadow Minister for Gaming and Racing, Shadow Minister for Arts and Heritage, Member for Tamworth.
Mr Anderson is one of the longest serving Nationals MPs on the floor. He's been the Member for Tamworth since 2011.
He has held a number of positions in ministry but has never held a leadership position with the party.
Gurmesh Singh MP: Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals, Shadow Minister for Regional Health, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Shadow Minister for North Coast, Member for Coffs Harbour
The current Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Mr Singh was first elected to NSW Parliament in 2019.
He's expected to be heavily in the running to assume the leadership ahead of the next election, which is scheduled for early 2027.
Steph Cooke MP: Shadow Minister for Water, Shadow Minister for Crown Lands, Member for Cootamundra.
Elected into NSW Parliament in 2017 and, if to become leader, would be the first woman to lead the NSW Nationals.
Nick McGrath
