Peter Walsh steps down as leader of Victorian Nationals

Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien has taken over as leader of the Victorian Nationals, replacing long-time leader Peter Walsh, who helmed the party for 10 years.

Walsh will remain the member for Murray Plains on the backbench, O’Brien said on Tuesday, sparing his electorate a byelection this term.

Lowan MP Emma Kealy will remain deputy leader of the junior Coalition partner.

Kealy had been floated as a future leader and possible rival to O’Brien before the party room vote, but she told journalists on Tuesday she had nominated O’Brien as leader.

O’Brien was elected unopposed.

Walsh had informed the Nationals party room of his intention to step down as leader two weeks ago, before the vote to replace him late on Monday.

Danny O’Brien has been elected new leader of the Victorian Nationals.Credit: Eddie Jim

O’Brien paid tribute to Walsh at a press conference on Tuesday morning. He said it was entirely Walsh’s decision to stand down.

“He’s been an absolute champion of regional Victoria for 22 years in parliament now, but long before that as well,” O’Brien said. “He has been a fantastic leader, a voice of reason, a source of wise counsel, and someone who has maintained us as a team through some pretty difficult times. So I really thank him for that.”

O’Brien said it was a privilege and an honour to lead the Nationals.

“I joined the party 22 years ago myself,” he said. “I thank my colleagues for placing their faith in me, and we’ll look forward to continuing to work with Emma and the rest of the Nationals team to make sure that rural and regional Victoria continues to be strongly represented.

“That will not change.”

Upper house MP Melina Bath, who represents the Eastern Victoria region, will be elevated to shadow cabinet.

O’Brien said the party room would decide which portfolios the reshuffled members would handle in coming days but that there would be no change to party policy from the leadership change.

Kealy said the Nationals had a “formidable” team of champions in the parliament.

“I look forward to continuing my role in leadership, working with Danny, our MPs and all our members and supporters who are fighting together for a fair deal for regional Victorians,” she said.

Outgoing Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh.Credit: Justin McManus

O’Brien, a former journalist, political staffer and policy adviser, has been the Coalition’s spokesman for roads, liquor and gambling regulation since the 2022 state election.

Walsh, who turned 70 in January, has led the Victorian Nationals since December 2014. He was first elected in 2002 and elevated to a ministerial appointment in 2010.

At the last election, the party spruiked their ability to win three additional seats as their best result since 1943. They won back Mildura, Shepparton and Morwell from independent candidates.

Two Nationals sources, speaking anonymously to detail private discussions, told The Age the halfway point of term was an ideal time for any leadership transition in the party, giving the new leader two years to build up their profile and grow into the role.

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