2023 New South Wales National Party leadership spills

2023 New South Wales National Party leadership spills

First spill
5 April 2023
 
NAT
Nominee Paul Toole Dugald Saunders
Caucus vote 8 7
Percentage 53.33% 46.66%
Seat Bathurst Dubbo

Leader before election

Paul Toole

Elected Leader

Paul Toole

Second spill
8 May 2023
 
NAT
Nominee Dugald Saunders Paul Toole
Caucus vote 10 5
Percentage 66.7% 33.3%
Seat Dubbo Bathurst

Leader before election

Paul Toole

Elected Leader

Dugald Saunders

The 2023 New South Wales National Party leadership spills were a series of leadership spills held following the 2023 state election, where the Liberal-National Coalition lost power and returned to Opposition for the first time in 12 years.

The first spill was held on 5 April 2023. Although incumbent leader Paul Toole was challenged by Dugald Saunders, Toole remained leader, winning the ballot eight votes to seven, with one informal vote. Bronnie Taylor remained deputy leader.

The Nationals' senior Coalition partner, the Liberal Party, also later held a leadership election following the resignation of Dominic Perrottet. Mark Speakman won the state's Liberal leadership, Natalie Ward won the state's deputy leadership and Damien Tudehope was re-elected Upper House leader.

Following Ben Franklin's decision to nominate as Upper House President, a second spill was held on 8 May 2023. Saunders successfully replaced Toole as leader.