Gurmesh Singh has been elected the new leader of the NSW Nationals following the resignation of Dugald Saunders. The party held a leadership vote on Tuesday, where Singh was elected unopposed. Kevin Anderson was also elected unopposed as the party’s new deputy leader.
Saunders announced his resignation shortly before the party-room meeting, triggering the leadership process under Nationals party rules.
This marks a historic moment for the Indian-Australian community, as he becomes the first Indian origin politician to lead a mainstream political party in Australia.
Following his election as NSW Nationals leader, Gurmesh Singh said:
“It is an honour to be elected by my peers to lead the NSW Nationals, alongside Deputy Leader Kevin Anderson. Sarah Mitchell will continue to serve in the NSW Nationals leadership team as our leader in the Upper House.”
“Our team will continue to represent regional NSW to the very best of our abilities. I thank Dugald Saunders for his leadership and guidance over the past two and a half years.
The wellbeing of regional communities is at the heart of everything we do, and I thank my party-room colleagues for affording me the opportunity to continue the great work of the Nationals across NSW.”
Watch Video: Gurmesh Singh’s exclusive interview with Pallavi Jain from last year.
Singh has represented Coffs Harbour in the NSW Parliament since 2019. Before entering politics, he worked in agriculture, including managing blueberry and macadamia farming operations in the Coffs Harbour region.
During his parliamentary career, he has served on several committees, focusing on regional development and infrastructure. He was the deputy leader of the NSW Nationals until his election as leader and is currently the Co-Chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of India.
Deputy Leader Anderson, the Member for Tamworth since 2011, previously served as a minister in the Berejiklian and Perrottet governments.
The leadership change comes during a period of internal activity within the NSW Coalition. Singh will now lead the Nationals in the NSW Parliament and take responsibility for the party’s position within the Coalition.
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