Dugald Saunders steps down as NSW Nationals leader with speculation the Liberals’ Mark Speakman could follow | New South Wales politics

New South Wales Nationals leader Dugald Saunders stepped down ahead of a party room meeting due to family reasons.

This comes as the state coalition faces similar turmoil over climate policy as its federal counterpart. NSW Citizens voted last week to abandon the net zero emissions target by 2050.

The Liberals are expected to take up the issue on Tuesday. There are ongoing tensions within the Coalition in NSW over a range of issues, including controlling feral horse populations in national parks and the Great Koala national park.

The party’s previous leader, Bathurst MP Paul Toole, is expected to run for the top again, but other rivals may also emerge.

Member for Coffs Harbor Gurmesh Singh and Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke are potential leadership candidates but have not confirmed their intentions.

“I have had the privilege of leading the NSW Nationals for the last two-and-a-half years and I am stepping down from that role today,” Saunders said in a statement on Monday.

“It has been an honor to lead the parliamentary team through a challenging period in the NSW opposition and I have always done my best to represent regional NSW.

“This is a difficult decision, but it’s the right time for me to step back and focus more on my family and myself. It’s also the right time to let a new leader begin the fight before the next election.”

Saunders said he would continue to serve the people of Dubbo as a local member.

Liberal leader Mark Speakman on Monday described Saunders as “a tireless advocate for the electorate of Dubbo and regional NSW, both as the leader of the NSW National Caucus and as a trusted voice long before politics”.

Saunders was formerly an ABC radio broadcaster in Western NSW.

“I met Dugald several times when he was morning broadcaster for ABC Western Plains and he was noted for his fairness, intelligence and warmth,” the Liberal leader said.

“When he entered politics, these strengths as a broadcaster were easily recognized. I greatly valued his steady, collegiate and constructive advice and diligence.”

Following continued poor opinion poll results for the coalition, there is growing speculation that Speakman could be replaced as opposition leader from this week.