PARKES MP Mark Coulton has led the tributes to outgoing federal National Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, who announced his retirement from Parliament on Thursday.
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His exit triggered a meeting of the Nationals federal parliamentary party late last night, in which they were set to elect a new leader and deputy.
Earlier on Thursday it was expected Agriculture Minister and New England MP Barnaby Joyce would be appointed uncontested to the leadership, after the only other candidate, Riverina MP Michael McCormack, told Fairfax Media he would not contest the position.
Half-a-dozen candidates were set to put their hands up at last night's ballot for Nationals deputy leader position, including Mr Coulton himself.
On Thursday, Mr Coulton said Warren Truss was leaving some big shoes to fill, particularly in his role as Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development.
"Warren has been in Parliament for 26 years and 12 of those in cabinet," Mr Coulton said.
"I think his legacy is that he led us from the major defeat in 2007, where the Nationals were written off, to leading us back to being a viable force in Canberra.
"I think he'll be missed for his calm leadership and the fact that he's a decent man. There's a mixed emotion... he has made a big contribution and I think people are pleased for him that he has been able to go at a time of his choosing."
While Mr Joyce was expected to stand unopposed for the party leadership, the field to replace him as deputy was expected to be wide open.
Speaking on Thursday ahead of the ballot, Mr Coulton said Luke Hartsuyker, Michael McCormack, Darren Chester, Keith Pitt and Fiona Nash were all likely to throw their hats in the ring.
"I'm one of the more senior members of the National Party in Canberra and I believe I can contribute at that leadership level," Mr Coulton said of his own candidacy.
Widely expected to be Mr Truss' successor, Mr Joyce would have a lot to bring to the leadership, Mr Coulton said.
"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."
