Paul Toole set to be challenged as Nats Leader in party meeting

Nationals MPs will gather for the first party room meeting since the election, with one member expected to announce a tilt to replace the Deputy Premier in the party’s top job.

Paul Toole could be dumped as National Party leader on Wednesday, with the former Deputy Premier set to face a challenge when Nationals MPs meet for the first time since the election.

Multiple Nationals MPs have told The Daily Telegraph that Dubbo MP and former Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders will announce he is running for the leadership at Wednesday morning’s party room meeting.

Under National Party conventions, all leadership positions are declared vacant after an election.

Former Regional Health Minister Bronnie Taylor could also face a challenge for the party’s deputy leadership.

Multiple Nationals told the Telegraph that they expected Mr Saunders to succeed in his leadership tilt, citing concerns with the way the election campaign was handled.

Paul Toole is set to be challenged as Nationals leader on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

But Mr Toole said he saw “no need for change”.

“I’m confident of retaining the leadership because of the performance of the Nationals at the election,” he told the Telegraph.

Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders is set to nominate for Nationals Party Leader.

“I don’t really see that there is a reason for change.”

Mr Toole pointed to the party’s success in the ultra-marginal Upper Hunter, and marginal Tweed, as among the reasons he should keep his job.

“These were seats that most people thought would be called on the first hour on the night as being lost, but we have been able to hold onto those two seats and ensure Minns and Labor govern in minority,” he said.

Mr Saunders did not return calls.

Meanwhile, the Liberal party could still be without a leader for weeks.

Despite some Liberals desperately wanting to elect a new leader before Easter, it is understood the party wants to wait until the final vote count is known.

Scott Morrison pictured with Cronulla MP Mark Speakman and Miranda MP Eleni Petinos. Picture: Instagram.

Liberal MPs said the party was in a holding pattern waiting for former Cronulla MP and former Attorney-General Mark Speakman to decide if he wants to run.

It comes amid speculation that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison could resign from parliament in coming months.

Liberals believe that Mr Speakman has his sights set on Mr Morrison’s federal seat of Cook if the former PM resigns from politics.