Applause for Troy Grant, new leader of the NSW Nats

AS NEWS spread of relative new-kid-on-the-block Troy Grant's promotion to leader of the NSW Nationals, we find out what people in the bush think about the new appointment.

The Member for Dubbo, Mr Grant, 44, was a police officer for 21 years and took a spot on Cabinet after the resignation of former premier Barry O'Farrell in April.

He was given the role as Hospitality, Gaming, Racing and Arts Minister in the shake-up.

Today he was announced as Deputy Premier of NSW and leader of the NSW Nationals, following Member for Oxley, Andrew Stoner's resignation.

Read the story about Stoner's resignation here

Federal Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Barnaby Joyce, congratulated Troy Grant.

"It is an incredible honour for Troy to lead the National Party for NSW," he said.

"In particular it is a reflection of Troy’s capability that in his first term he has proven he has the qualities to be the Deputy Premier.

"I look forward to working with Troy as both a leader of the Parliament of NSW and as a colleague at the State level."

Minister Joyce said the election of Troy Grant was also a great honour for the people and city of Dubbo who now had a Deputy Premier as their local member.

"I also pay tribute to Andrew Stoner for his long service to the party and to the NSW community. Under Andrew’s leadership, the NSW Nationals have become a force to be reckoned with and in government he has delivered record levels of investment to our regional communities."

Wongarbon farmer John Kelly, “Hillview”, said he was pleasantly surprised to hear of Mr Grant's leadership elevation.

“That’s incredible; I’m quite surprised,” he said.

“We’ve got to be honoured and thankful that we now have the deputy premier of NSW in our electorate.

“It’s better than North Sydney or anywhere down there.”

The Poll Dorset stud breeder and patriarch of the Kelly grain farming enterprise said congratulations were in store.

“He must have done it right as there are plenty of old stagers down there who have been there for a long while and they would be pretty discerning at any new blood like Troy coming up through the ranks.

“To think that he has only been there for such a short time but his contribution to the parliament has been great.

“The future will decide whether he has enough experience to be leader

“A week is a long time in politics as is often quoted.”

As far as effectiveness goes, Mr Kelly said we could only wish him well and give him every encouragement.

“Time will tell whether he will make a good leader, but we all have to encourage him.”

Wongarbon farmer John Kelly

NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson welcomed the appointment.

“We welcome the appointment of Troy Grant as NSW Nationals leader, and we wish Andrew Stoner well in the future," she said.

“Troy is very consultative. (NSW Farmers) sat on the Land and Water advisory panel which he chaired.

“He was very consultative and very outcomes focused. He is passionate about many of the issues regional communities face on a daily basis.

“Rural and regional communities need a strong voice in Macquarie Street. Sometimes they feel that voice is lacking.

"They need to hear the National party publicly voicing their support for them.”

Ms Simson said native vegetation reform, mining and coal seam gas, drought support and regional infrastructure were the major concerns for NSW Farmers coming into the next election.

NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson

Narromine mayor Bill McAnally heaped praise on the Member for Dubbo, who was elected in 2011.

"He is a very level-headed man and I think he will do very well (as NSW Nationals leader)," Cr McAnally said.

"He has a very good team around him.

"He is a regional boy and loves this area so it's a great result.

"I really think he is an asset for this region.

"He has made a few hard decisions in politics where not everybody wins but he is a very respected man."

Narromine mayor Bill McAnally

As far as politicians go, Dubbo commodity trader, Ivor Trapman, believes Troy Grant would be one of the better ones and is glad to see him rise to National Party leadership.

“Glad, not only for him but also for the State electorate he works for because I know Troy is a good hard worker," he said.

“He seems to keep everything business-like with his dealings with everybody, and that’s very much appreciated in this day and age of scandals within the major parties."

Mr Trapman said all people wanted was for their local State officials to be honest and he believed Mr Grant to be honest.

“I think he has had just the right amount of experience," he said.

“There are some politicians who get too much experience and they fall by the wayside."

Paul Hagarty, principal of property valuers Opteon Property Group, Dubbo, said he thought Troy Grant’s election as Nationals’ parliamentary leader was good for the State and the Dubbo electorate.

“It’s good to see our local member rise to the leadership position.

“From what I’ve seen of his performance here, he’s been a very good member for us.”

When it comes to experience Mr Hagarty asked how much is enough experience when it comes to politics.

“If you’ve got the go about you it doesn’t matter and with what we’ve seen in politics of late, maybe you’re better off not having been in the system for too long.”

Mr Hagarty said it was good to see a little bit of NSW country coming back into Macquarie Street.

“We’re getting bush logic down there.”

As far as Mr Grant’s effectiveness was concerned Mr Hagarty said that would depend on how far the party got behind him.

“One would hope he would be.”

Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson said Troy Grant was a passionate representative for the Dubbo electorate and has made a positive contribution to Dubbo since becoming the local member in 2011.

“For regional cities such as Dubbo it is extremely valuable to have a strong voice in the NSW Parliament,” Cr Dickerson said.

“It is important for Dubbo to have State members of the calibre of Troy Grant who can take the case for the needs of residents, businesses and the community to the State decision makers."

Dubbo mayor Matthew Dickerson

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson has thrown his support behind the Member for Dubbo in his new role.

"This is the regeneration of the Nationals to ensure strength and vision within the party for years to come," Mr Anderson said.

"I think the fact that he was voted in unanimously shows that there's great unity within the party and great support for Troy.

"He's energetic and he's very committed to regional NSW."

Mr Anderson said having someone based in a major regional centre lead the party was a "huge plus".

"Troy understands regional NSW. He's certainly spent a lot of his working life in regional areas.

"He understands the north and the south of the State and has his heart in regional NSW."

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson

Member for New England Adam Marshall said Mr Grant would bring a very different leadership style to the party.

"Troy wants to be inclusive of all members but he'll also be a very strong presence in rural areas and that's very positive," Mr Marshall said.

"He's a younger leader, fresher-faced, but very determined.

"His heart's certainly in the development of the bush and tackling core issues for rural people."

Member for New England Adam Marshall

Lismore MP Thomas George said Troy Grant's leadership skills and real life experience would stand him in good stead.

The fact he was elected unopposed "signified everyone had complete confidence in him," Mr George said.

Mr George entered parliament at the same time as former leader Andrew Stoner in 1999.

"Mr Stoner should look back with great pride at his long period of service.

"We where all shocked", he said referring to yesterday's sudden resignation of Mr Stoner.

"Cathy and the family have always been there for him and it is only natural he would want to be able to support them."

Bathurst MP Paul Tool is also a first term parliamentarian and Minister for Local Government.

“It is very exciting to have a Deputy Premier from Dubbo," he said.

"Having someone from the country in leadership can really help create investment in rural and regional NSW.

“Regional communities can be comforted their concerns will be addressed.

“Troy’s role as parliamentary secretary for natural resources gave him great experience with agriculture and saw him travel extensively across NSW.”

Mr Toole said Mr Grant’s lack of parliamentary experience was more than made up for by his life experiences, coming from a 22-year career in the police force.

‘He has experience in the ability to lead people. He is a dedicated fighter, he cares about the community and he is a fun guy as well, someone who is down to earth that you could have a beer with.”

In deputy leader and Member for Murrumbidgee Adrian Piccoli's heartland, there was an outpouring of support for the Education Minister and his decision not to stand against Troy Grant.

Griffith City Council mayor John Dal Broi said he was sad Mr Piccoli didn't stand for the leadership as he would have performed well.

"He is young, he has been deputy for a few years now, and he would've had the experience," Cr Dal Broi said.

"As an electorate we would have been very proud to have a leader of the NSW Nationals from this area.

"I think he would have done a good job (as leader), and he has done well in a difficult portfolio."

However, he said he clearly understood why Mr Piccoli didn't stand.

He said with the redistribution, Mr Piccoli would have to look after a huge electorate which would undoubtedly require a lot of travel, as well as the fact he had a young family.

Cr Dal Broi said the resignation of Andrew Stoner came as a shock.

"He was doing a good job," he said.

"I know some of the pressure (of leadership) - and mine is only minute in comparison to that of a State leader - and at times you have to place your family first."

Cr Dal Broi said he was pleased to hear of the choice of the new leader, Dubbo MP Troy Grant.

"Coming from inland he may have a much better understanding of rural issues as it affects inland NSW."

Griffith mayor John Dal Broi

Griffith Primary Principals Association president Jude Hayman said she was glad Adrian Piccoli was remaining as deputy leader of the NSW Nationals as "it would help keep up the consistency" of his work in education as well as in the electorate.

"It is advantageous from an education point of view as it is a very big portfolio," Miss Hayman said.