Dugald Saunders steps down as NSW Nationals leader with speculation the Liberals’ Mark Speakman could follow

<p>Saunders says ‘it is the right time for me to take a step back and focus on my family and myself’, week after state Nationals dump net zero commitment</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/nov/17/australia-news-live-schools-act-asbestos-education-sand-coalition-climate-energy-net-zero-sussan-ley-leadership-challenge-andrew-hastie-liberals-nationals-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The New South Wales Nationals leader, Dugald Saunders, has stepped down from the role ahead of a party room meeting, citing family reasons.</p><p>It comes as the state Coalition faces similar turmoil to its federal counterpart over climate policy. The NSW Nationals voted last week to abandon a net zero emissions target by 2050.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/17/dugald-saunders-steps-down-as-nsw-nationals-leader-with-speculation-the-liberals-mark-speakman-could-follow">Continue reading...</a>