Dugald Saunders has resigned as leader of the New South Wales Nationals, citing a need to focus on his family and himself. The decision comes just a week after the state Nationals voted to abandon their net zero emissions target by 2050, adding to tensions within the Coalition.
Saunders, who has led the party for two-and-a-half years, announced his departure ahead of a party room meeting. He stated that it was the right time to step back and allow a new leader to prepare for the next election. Saunders will continue to serve as the member for Dubbo.
The Liberal leader, Mark Speakman, praised Saunders as a tireless advocate for regional NSW. However, there is growing speculation that Speakman himself could be replaced as opposition leader due to poor polling for the Coalition.
Potential candidates for the Nationals leadership include former leader Paul Toole, as well as Gurmesh Singh and Steph Cooke, though none have confirmed their intentions. The party faces internal divisions over climate policy and other issues such as wild horse management and the Great Koala National Park.
