Paul Toole elected NSW Nationals leader, deputy premier

Paul Toole will be sworn in as NSW’s deputy premier after beating Melinda Pavey in a party room vote for the Nationals’ leadership.

Paul Toole, centre, has been voted as NSW Nationals leader and Deputy Premier. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The NSW Nationals have elected Paul Toole as leader of the party in an ballot held at NSW Parliament this morning.

Mr Toole, the Minister for Regional Transport, was elected 15-3 against rival candidate Melinda Pavey, the state’s water minister.

A former schoolteacher, Mr Toole will be sworn-in as the state’s deputy premier in the newly formed Perrottet government, with Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor elected unopposed as deputy leader.

The ballot was prompted by the sudden resignation of John Barilaro on Monday.

Bronnie Taylor has been elected as deputy leader.

Speaking briefly after being elected deputy premier, Mr Toole, flanked by his deputy and other supporters, said: “I’m looking forward to getting back to work.”

“I want to keep building on the foundations John Barilaro has laid and provide the community with the stability they want to see,” he said.

“My focus remains very much on delivering the road map, getting kids back to school, businesses back open and people back to work.”