THE Mid-North Coast's federal politicians have put aside their own ambitions to back the "new generation" of "relevant" and "contemporary" leadership in the National Party.
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Barnaby Joyce was unanimously elected leader of the party and later sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister on Thursday night, with Fiona Nash the first woman to become deputy leader of the Nationals.
Senator Nash was one of seven who nominated for the deputy's position, which included Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker who downplayed his disappointment during a visit to Port Macquarie on Friday.
"I think Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash are going to be a great team to take the National Party forward," he said.
"This is a new generation of leadership, and we have to remain relevant to the people we represent."
Less than a week before the ballot Mr Hartsuyker had been touting his own leadership credentials.
"Party people and the people of regional Australia tell me they want a team that's going to deliver in the interests of regional Australia, but they also want a team that's going to deliver against a backdrop of stable government," he told the Port News on February 5.
It was a line he echoed on Friday while visiting Port Macquarie's Newman Technical College.
"I think what regional Australians are saying to us is they want a strong voice for regional Australia that can work within a coalition government."
Mr Hartsuyker, who was made Vocation Education and Skills Minister in the Turnbull Government, refused to comment on occupying any future leadership role within the party.
"We've only just elected a new leadership team, [so] it would be totally hypothetical to speculate on what other arrangements might occur in the future.
"I would expect that this will be a very strong that will lead us for quite a number of years to come.
"With regard to the new structures and arrangements that will exist under our new leadership team, they are yet to make the pronouncements on that and we await the various decisions they will make as an incoming team."
Another person touted in Canberra as having leadership potential was Dr David Gillespie.
On Friday the Lyne MP took time to praise Senator Nash's suitability as deputy leader of the party.
"Fiona knows how to get things done," he said.
"She worked with Mark Vaile before and is very well-versed in how to get your issues heard in Canberra.
"Fiona is our first female in a leadership position which is very contemporary because we do have a mixed, broad talent base.
"I think she'll go great."
Dr Gillespie also admitted "it is good" to have a fellow Riverview Old Boy as leader of the Nationals.