David Littleproud, Barnaby Joyce’s deputy, has taken over as head of the Nationals.
In a marathon two-hour party room meeting in Canberra on Monday, Mr Joyce was challenged by Mr Littleproud and MP Darren Chester.
The length of the meeting led some to speculate that the poll was extremely close or even a tie that needed to be broken, but this could just be due to a lengthy debate before to the voting.
The result means Mr Joyce’s second tenure as leader lasted less than a year after he rolled Michael McCormack in June 2021.
Speaking after the ballot, former agriculture minister Mr Littleproud said: ‘This is the proudest day of my professional life.’
The 46-year-old’s election represents a shift in direction for the Nationals and could help de-escalate the so-called climate wars.
Mr Joyce had been against the Coalition’s net zero carbon emissions by 2050 target while Mr Littleproud was in favour.
The new leader said: ‘The National Party today starts its journey towards 2025, with a vibrant team, ready to articulate the policies that are important to regional and rural Australia.
This is about us as a party moving forward, not lurching to the left, not lurching to the right but bringing this thing called common sense to Canberra.
‘A sensible centre is where you win elections, not chasing extremities down rabbit holes that don’t work,’ he said.
Mr Littleproud – a former regional banker from Chinchilla, Queensland – has three children with his ex-wife Sarah. The pair announced their separation in 2019.
NSW senator Perin Davey has been elected deputy leader.
Mr Littleproud said he will work closely with the Liberal Party – now led by Peter Dutton – to hold Labor to account and ultimately return to the Coalition to power in 2025.
He has represented the federal Division of Maranoa, a safe Queensland seat, since 2016.
Mr Joyce released a statement saying: ‘I suppose you think I’m sad. Not really.’
He vowed to spend more time with his family and the people in his electorate of New England.