2.30 PM: IPROWD program coordinator Peter Gibbs has congratulated Troy Grant on his new role as NSW deputy premier and leader of the National Party.
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''He helped get IPROWD off the ground and I am very excited for him and the whole community because he understands what this important program does for the indigenous community,'' Mr Gibbs said during the set up of a Gungie Police Origin series meeting.
1 PM: Member for Orange, Andrew Gee today congratulated Troy Grant on his election to the position of leader of the NSW Nationals and Deputy Premier.
"It's great that we have someone west of the Great Divide as the NSW Nationals' leader," said Mr Gee.
"A passion for the central west is something that we share and I look forward to working with him to achieve positive outcomes for the region.
"I have no doubt he'll do an excellent job as an advocate for country NSW as we head into the next State election."
12.30 PM: "I think it's absolutely great. It's a quick jump up the steps for Troy. If anyone can handle it he can. He'll be an excellent representative for us (Narromine Shire) and he'll do a great job," - Narromine Mayor Bill McAnally
11.35 AM: Federal Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Barnaby Joyce, said it was an incredible honour for Troy to lead the National Party for NSW.
"I am confident that Troy will lead the NSW Nationals and fulfil his role as Deputy Premier with the dignity and integrity that the community expects, and I know he will uphold and fight for the values that the Nationals hold so dear."
Minister Joyce said the election of Troy Grant is also a great honour for the city of Dubbo who now have a Deputy Premier as their local member.
"I know he will uphold and fight for the values that the Nationals hold so dear."
- Federal Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Barnaby Joyce
11.25 AM: NSW Premier Mike Baird said Mr Grant is a "passionate and hardworking MP."
“His elevation is a clear demonstration of the faith his parliamentary colleagues have in his many abilities.
“Troy and I will be working very closely together to ensure our strong Coalition continues to deliver for people right across NSW.
“Troy is a passionate advocate for rural and regional NSW and he will ensure the concerns of those in the bush are addressed.
“Before entering Parliament Troy was a highly decorated and respected police officer and he has always fought hard to protect vulnerable members of our community.
“As Nationals Leader and Deputy Premier, Troy is now in a position to make an even bigger contribution to NSW.”
11.15 AM: Leader of Government and Leader of the National Party in the Upper House Duncan Gay has said Mr Grant has all the right qualities to be a strong leader.
“Troy encapsulates the decency of the old country party - he is a dedicated team player with a strong orientation to the people of the bush and all that rural and regional NSW stands for,” Mr Gay said.
“From the first time I met Troy in Dubbo, and he got out of his ute, I knew this man would make a huge contribution to the National Party."
- Leader of the Government and Leader of the National Party in the Upper House Duncan Gay
“One of his most honourable achievements was the establishment of IPROWD – the Indigenous Police Recruitment Out West Delivery Project, which assists Aboriginal people gain entry to the NSW Police Academy.
“From the first time I met Troy in Dubbo, and he got out of his ute, I knew this man would make a huge contribution to the National Party."
10.45 AM: Mr Grant paid tribute to Andrew Stoner acknowledging the significant contribution he has made to the NSW Nationals for 16 years, particularly as Leader for the last 11.
“Andrew led the Nationals to an outstanding result at the 2011 election, achieving 19 of the 20 seats we contested. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with him.
“I look forward to working alongside Premier Mike Baird, Deputy Nationals Leader Adrian Piccoli and the entire NSW Liberals & Nationals team as we transform NSW.
“The Premier and I share similar values and the same dedication to community service.
“I take on this role with my wife Toni and kids Taylor and Hamish who have been unwavering in their support since I was elected as the Member for Dubbo in 2011.
10.30 AM: Newly elected Nationals Leader Troy Grant has said "every member of the NSW Nationals team is passionate about getting the best outcomes for our communities."
“The confidence the people have shown in us is something I don’t take for granted and I intend to work hard to maintain their trust.
“The Nationals represent communities across this state full of good honest people and as Leader I am determined to fight for them.
“It is with great humility I accept the challenge and I am determined to be hard working, fair and equitable in my decision making and engaged with the party and the people across NSW.
“I have long described myself as a son of regional NSW and there is no greater privilege for me than to lead the party I love and the communities I respect.
10.20 AM: Minister for Local Government and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole congratulates Mr Grant.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has also congratulated Mr Grant.
10.10 AM: Mayor of Wellington Council Rod Buhr has issued his congratulations to Mr Grant.
"Troy is passionate about making sure people in regional and rural areas in NSW get our fair share of the cake when it comes to services and infrastructure."
"Troy will be our state representative after the next election, I'm personally looking forward to working with him and making sure together we address some of the issues effecting us, particularly infrastructure renewal."
10 AM: Dubbo City Council has congratulated Member for Dubbo Troy Grant MP on his appointment as NSW Deputy Premier and leader of the NSW National Party.
Dubbo Mayor Mathew Dickerson said Mr Grant is a passionate representative for the City of Dubbo and the Dubbo electorate and has made a positive contribution to Dubbo since becoming the local member in 2011.
“On behalf of Dubbo City Council and the people of Dubbo I have congratulated Mr Grant on his appointment as Deputy Premier,” Councillor Dickerson said.
“For regional Cities such as Dubbo it is extremely valuable to have a strong voice in the NSW Parliament,” Councillor Dickerson said.
“I have had the pleasure of working alongside Mr Grant on the Minister’s Action Group addressing issues of social disadvantage in our community as well as the regular community leaders’ forums which provide an opportunity for the community to speak directly with representatives across the three levels of government.
“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.
“I look forward to a continuing strong relationship between Dubbo City Council, Dubbo residents and Mr Grant as the Deputy Premier,” Councillor Dickerson said.
9.30 AM: Nationals MPs met for half an hour in Parliament House on Thursday morning to elect Mr Grant, a former police inspector who is the member for Dubbo.
Education Minister Adrian Piccoli remains deputy leader of the Nationals.
In a statement, Mr Grant said that to be elected Nationals leader was an "extraordinary honour".
He said he felt "humbled" by the decision of his colleagues and would "work my backside off" in the role.
Mr Grant, a relatively inexperienced politician who was elected to the NSW Parliament only in 2011, said he held dear the principles of "honesty, integrity and hard work" and intended to pursue those in the job.
9.15 AM: Former policeman Troy Grant has been anointed Deputy Premier of NSW.
Mr Grant, 44, who has been a minister for six months, was on Thursday elected unopposed by his Nationals colleagues a leader of the party, Nationals Whip John Williams said.
EARLIER: Hospitality minister Troy Grant is favourite to become the next deputy premier of NSW and leader of the Nationals after education minister Adrian Piccoli announced he would not nominate.
In a statement, Mr Piccoli said he would support Mr Grant "who will make a great leader of the NSW Nationals."
"I look forward to continuing as Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals and Minister for Education," he said.
Nationals MPs will gather on Thursday morning to elect a new leader after Andrew Stoner announced his retirement at the 2015 election.
Mr Stoner said his "difficult" decision to retire followed a request from his wife Cathy, who is dealing with serious "health issues".
He will step down as Nationals leader on Thursday morning but will remain in cabinet overseeing his portfolios, which include trade and investment, tourism and major events, until the election next year.
The member for the mid-north coast seat of Oxley, Mr Stoner has served in the NSW Parliament since 1999 and as Nationals leader since 2003.
He said the decision to retire from Parliament was made after a recent break with his wife and three children.
"I became aware of the seriousness of the issues with which my wife has been dealing," he said.
"She asked me to bring forward my plans for retirement and I didn't hesitate."
Mr Stoner his wife has been dealing with "some health issues and other issues".
He pointed out that last year the job meant he spent 250 days away from home.
"This has coincided with some very difficult family issues that have been faced by my wife and three children back at home," he said.
"I can no longer expect or ask my wife, Cathy, to face these issues alone".
Mr Stoner said he has "no job lined up, I'm not under any cloud. This is about putting my family first".
He said he could not see himself taking on full-time employment upon leaving politics but would consider part-time work.
Premier Mike Baird said Mr Stoner had been "a great leader of the NSW Nationals, a fine Deputy Premier and above all a passionate advocate for regional NSW".
Nationals state chairman Bede Bourke said Mr Stoner had been "a steady and patient hand at the wheel at a critical time in our history. He has served the people of NSW and the members of the Nationals with distinction, and I wish him and Cathy well in his retirement."
- with Sean Nicholls, SMH