NSW Nationals Elect Gurmesh Singh as New Leader

Singh replaces Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders, who stepped down on Nov. 17 to spend more time with his family

Newly elected NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh speaks to the media during a press conference at NSW Parliament House in Sydney, New South Wales, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

The New South Wales (NSW) Nationals have elected Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh as the new leader unopposed.

Singh said it was honour to be elected by his peers to lead the NSW Nationals alongside new deputy leader Kevin Anderson.

“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,” he said in a statement following the meeting.

“Our team will continue to represent regional NSW to the very best of our abilities.”

Singh’s heritage is Punjabi Sikh. His great-grandfather, Bella Singh migrated from Punjab in 1895, a region that is now part of India.

“I am proud of my heritage but, as members can clearly hear, I am Australian born and bred,” Singh said in his first speech to parliament in 2019.

Singh told The Nightly recently he was tired of being referred to as an Indian.

“How many more generations does it have to be before I stop being an Indian-Australian and just an Australian? I think that’s the question we all have to answer,” he said.

Singh replaces Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders, who stepped down on Nov. 17 to spend more time with his family.

Speakman Welcomes New Leadership in National Party

NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman congratulated Singh and Anderson on their new leadership positions.

“Gurmesh has been a strong voice for the people of Coffs Harbour since entering Parliament in 2019.  A son of the Coffs Coast, Gurmesh knows what it means to stand up for your community and has done so with passion and principle,” he said in a statement. 

“Kevin has represented Tamworth with dedication since 2011.”

Speakman said the NSW Liberals and Nationals would work hard, speak plainly and be accountable to the people of NSW.

“Honesty between our parties keeps us strong,” Speakman said.

Speakman has also faced his own leadership speculation in recent weeks following a dramatic by-election loss in Kiama. Member for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane has been touted as a possible replacement. 

Federal Senator Bridget McKenzie also took to X to offer her congratulations to Singh.

“Congratulations to Gurmesh Singh on being elected leader of the NSW Nationals. A community leader, a doer and constant strength. Go well, my friend,” she said.

The new Nationals leader in NSW comes on the same day as the Victorian Liberals elected Jess Wilson as the first female leader of the party.