Agricultural Minister Barnaby Joyce has been elected as the next Nationals Leader after MP Warren Truss announced earlier on Thursday he would be standing down.
Seven candidates put their hands up for the deputy position of the Nationals Party with senator Fiona Nash winning the ballot.
Ms Nash becomes the first female to take the deputy role in the history of the National Party.
"I am very humbled that my party has chosen of given me the honour of being deputy leader. It is an exciting time to be in regional Australia.
"We will be doing the same thing we have always done, fighting for those people outside the capital cities," Senator Nash said.
Speaking to the Media after his election Mr Joyce said it was an 'awesome responsibility'.
"It is I must say spectacular when you turn on the television and the nation is talking about the National Party ... I believe it is a statement by country people and people in towns, those on the farm, those on the coast, that are saying these are the people that we have an expectation that will represent us.
"This responsibility is not taken lightly, it is taken with all the respect that it it deserves."
Warren Truss announced during Parliament on Thursday afternoon that he would be standing down as leader and retiring at the next election.
Before the ballot he said it was an important one for the National Party
"This is an important ballot for us and I am delighted we have such a pool of talent that have expressed interest in taking leadership roles in the party," Mr Truss
Earlier on Thursday Parkes MP Mark Coulton said Mr Joyce would have a lot to contribute to the party.
It was widely understood Mr Joyce would stand for the leadership unopposed.
"Barnaby will have a different style and I think we will see a noticeable change in the style of leadership," he said.
"He has been in Parliament now since 2004 and I think he will be a very strong leader and I think he'll do a great job.
"He's a great communicator, he has a great, larger-than-life personality that I think will help to lift the profile of the Nationals and he has a great passion for regional Australia so I think that people will quickly understand what his vision is and be swept up in his enthusiasm."
A decision on the cabinet reshuffle will be made in the coming days.
