MONTHS of speculation have come to nothing after Riverina MP Michael McCormack bowed out of the leadership race on Thursday.
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Mr McCormack had been widely touted as a leadership candidate to replace deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, along with rival and agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce.
Truss delivered his resignation as federal leader of the Nationals during a speech in parliament.
A last minute decision by Mr McCormack to run for deputy leader of the party was thwarted by Senator Fiona Nash.
Based in Young, Ms Nash is the first female deputy leader of the Nationals.
After the vote on Thursday night, Mr McCormack revealed he was one of the final two candidates and that he would be getting behind the new leadership team.
“I’m pleased to have taken part … that’s democracy,” he said.
Mr McCormack said he received support to run for a leadership position, but after careful consideration chose to focus on the deputy leader’s job.
“There’s always going to be speculation and there’s always going to be keen interest in the position (of party leader),” he said.
“The position does not come up very often.”
Mr McCormack said he would continue to work as he had over the past five years.
“If looked upon to continue in a ministerial role, I’ll be proud to do that too.”
He thanked grass-roots members of the Nationals and people from the other side of politics who had offered him support.
Earlier on Thursday Mr McCormack announced he was supporting Mr Joyce for leader of the Nationals.
“Barnaby has served our party as deputy leader and our country as agriculture minister with tenacity, drive and passion,” he said.
“I know he will bring those qualities to the leadership of the Nationals.”
Mr McCormack heaped praise upon Mr Truss for the decades of service to his community as an MP.
“Since 2007, Warren has led the Nationals with the courage, competence, professionalism and grace of a true country gentleman,” Mr McCormack said.
“I am proud and honoured to have worked so closely with him during my time in parliament and more recently as his assistant minister.”
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is expected to reshuffle his cabinet in the near future following the resignation of Warren Truss, trade minister Andrew Robb and the departures of Jamie Briggs and Mal Brough.
Meanwhile, Mr McCormack said he was looking forward to completing TumbaTrek – a hike through the Tumbarumba Shire on the weekend.
