National Party of Australia leadership elections#1980s

File:Earle Page - Falk Studios (cropped).jpg (party leader 1921–1939)]]

• 1920: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 25 February 1920, prior to the opening of parliament the following day. William McWilliams was elected party leader and Edmund Jowett was elected deputy leader. Both elections were unopposed, with eleven members voting.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51139633|title=The Country Party|newspaper=The Examiner|date=26 February 1920}}
• 1921: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 5 April 1921. Earle Page replaced William McWilliams as leader. Edmund Jowett did not re-contest the deputy leadership and was replaced by Henry Gregory.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/23487849|title=The Country Party|newspaper=The Mercury|date=6 April 1921}}
• 1922: A vote for the deputy leadership was held on 27 June 1922. William Fleming was elected deputy leader in place of Henry Gregory, who had resigned in February 1922 over policy differences.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205041485|title=Country Party Meeting|newspaper=The Age|date=28 June 1922}}{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/23525830|title=Deputy Leader of Country Party|newspaper=The Mercury|date=24 February 1922}}
• 1923: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 16 January 1923, following the 1922 federal election. Earle Page was re-elected unopposed as leader. William Gibson was elected unopposed as deputy leader, following William Fleming's defeat at the election.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/203785178|title=Country Party|newspaper=The Age|date=17 January 1923}}
• 1926: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 12 January 1926, following the 1925 federal election. Earle Page was re-elected unopposed as leader and William Gibson was re-elected unopposed as deputy leader.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/155775313|title=The Country Party|newspaper=The Age|date=13 January 1926}}
• 1929: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 19 November 1929, following the 1929 federal election. Earle Page was re-elected unopposed as leader. Thomas Paterson was elected as deputy leader, following William Gibson's defeat at the election.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16603567|title=Dr. Page Re-elected Leader|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=20 November 1929}}

• 1932: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 17 February 1932, following the 1931 federal election. Earle Page was re-elected as leader and Thomas Paterson was re-elected as deputy leader.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16841388|title=Country Party leaders|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 February 1932}}
• 1932: A vote for the leadership was held on 12 October 1932. Earle Page resigned the leadership to seek a vote of confidence, following criticism of his handling of negotiations to form a coalition with the United Australia Party. There was no opponent to his re-election, however Senator Charles Hardy dissented from the motion.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/247319365|title=Lyons' plan for unity at an end?|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=13 October 1932}}
• 1934: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 22 October 1934, following the 1934 federal election. Earle Page was re-elected unopposed as leader and Thomas Paterson was re-elected as deputy leader.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2376170|title=Dr. Page Re-elected Leader|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=23 October 1934}}
• 1937: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 27 November 1937, following the 1937 federal election. Earle Page was re-elected unopposed as leader. Harold Thorby was elected as deputy leader following Thomas Paterson's retirement. The vote for the deputy leadership was controversial. An initial ballot was held using preferential voting, with Thorby, John McEwen, Archie Cameron, and Horace Nock as candidates. McEwen defeated Thorby by one vote following the elimination of Cameron and Nock, but there was confusion as to whether preferences had been distributed correctly. As a result, a second ballot was held in which Thorby defeated McEwen by one vote. It was reported that Larry Anthony, a newly elected MP, had abstained from voting in the first ballot due to his unfamiliarity with the candidates, but was prevailed upon to vote for Thorby in the second.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205553498|title=Mr. Thorby Deputy Leader|newspaper=The Age|date=29 November 1937}}
• 1939: A vote for the leadership was held on 13 September 1939, following Earle Page's resignation. Archie Cameron was elected leader, defeating John McEwen by seven votes to five. Before the vote, four breakaway members of the party – Oliver Badman, Thomas Collins, Bernard Corser, and Arthur Fadden – were excluded from the meeting. Earlier in the year they had left the parliamentary party in protest at Page's leadership. It was reported that the four MPs were all supporters of McEwen, and the outcome of the leadership vote would have been reversed if they had been allowed to vote.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17630702|title=New leader of C.P|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=14 September 1939}}

• 1950: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 21 February 1950, following the 1949 federal election. Arthur Fadden was re-elected unopposed as leader and John McEwen was re-elected unopposed as deputy leader.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/187342439|title=Party Heads Re-elected|newspaper=The Age|date=22 February 1950}}
• 1951: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 11 June 1951, following the 1951 federal election. Arthur Fadden was re-elected unopposed as leader and John McEwen was re-elected unopposed as deputy leader.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/23068076|title=Parties name leaders|newspaper=Melbourne Argus|date=12 June 1951}}
• 1954: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 7 July 1954, following the 1954 federal election. Arthur Fadden was re-elected unopposed as leader and John McEwen was re-elected unopposed as deputy leader.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/248935784|title=Lib.–C.P. leaders stay|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 July 1954}}
• 1956: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 6 January 1956, following the 1955 federal election. Arthur Fadden was re-elected unopposed as leader and John McEwen was re-elected unopposed as deputy leader.{{Cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/138116480|title=Parties Told Of Cabinet Increase To 21 Members|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=7 January 1956}}

File:John McEwen 1950 (cropped).jpg (party leader 1958–1971)]]

• 1958: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 26 March 1958, following Arthur Fadden's retirement. John McEwen was elected unopposed as leader. Charles Davidson was elected unopposed as deputy leader in place of McEwen.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/91246344|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=27 March 1958|title=McEwen Leader Of Party, Deputy Prime Minister}}
• 1958: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held in December 1958, following the 1958 federal election. John McEwen was re-elected as leader and Charles Davidson was re-elected as deputy leader.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/103062305|title=No opposition for Liberal leaders|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=9 December 1958}}

• 1961: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 19 December 1961, following the 1961 federal election. John McEwen was re-elected unopposed as leader and Charles Davidson was re-elected unopposed as deputy leader. The votes were held at a joint meeting of the coalition parties, which also saw Robert Menzies and Harold Holt re-elected unopposed to the equivalent positions in the Liberal Party.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105856560|title=C.P. Denies Claim On Ministry|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=20 December 1961}}
• 1963: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 11 December 1963, following the 1963 federal election. John McEwen was re-elected unopposed as leader. Charles Adermann defeated Hugh Roberton and Senator Harrie Wade for the deputy leadership, following the retirement of Charles Davidson.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/104281578|title=Increase in cabinet expected|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=12 December 1963}}
• 1966: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 8 December 1966, following the 1966 federal election. John McEwen was re-elected unopposed as leader. Doug Anthony defeated Ian Sinclair for the deputy leadership, following the retirement of Charles Adermann.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106951057|title=Anthony is new Deputy Leader|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=9 December 1966}}
• 1969: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 10 November 1969, following the 1969 federal election. John McEwen was re-elected unopposed as leader and Doug Anthony was re-elected unopposed as deputy leader.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107902853|title=Talks 'amicable'|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=11 November 1969}}

File:Doug Anthony 1974 (cropped).jpg (party leader 1971–1984)]]

• 1971: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 2 February 1971, following John McEwen's retirement. Doug Anthony was elected unopposed as leader. Ian Sinclair was elected deputy leader in place of Anthony, defeating Peter Nixon by a close margin; the result was "not generally expected".{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110452801|title=Coalition details considered today|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=3 February 1971}}
• 1972: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 13 December 1972, following the 1972 federal election. Doug Anthony was re-elected unopposed as leader and Ian Sinclair was re-elected unopposed as deputy leader.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110625287|title=To play same role|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=14 December 1972}}
• 1974: A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 4 June 1974, following the 1974 election. Doug Anthony was re-elected as leader and Ian Sinclair was re-elected as deputy leader.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110781740|title=Opposition was right: Anthony|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=5 June 1974}}

A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 17 January 1984, following Doug Anthony's retirement. Ian Sinclair was elected as leader, defeating Stephen Lusher by an unspecified margin. Ralph Hunt was elected as deputy in place of Sinclair, defeating Lusher, Ray Braithwaite, Tom McVeigh, and Ian Robinson.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116385061|title=New leader Sinclair faces questions on credibility|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=18 January 1984}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1984 National Party of Australia leadership election

| country = Australia

| flag_image = 150px

| election_date = 17 January 1984

| previous_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1974

| previous_year = 1974

| next_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1987

| next_year = 1987

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 140x140px

| nominee1 = Ian Sinclair

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Majority

| image2 = 140x140px

| nominee2 = Stephen Lusher

| colour2 = 008000

| popular_vote2 = Minority

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = New England (NSW)

| 1data2 = Hume (NSW)

| title = Leader

| before_election = Doug Anthony

| after_election = Ian Sinclair

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Deputy leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 140x140px

| nominee1 = Ralph Hunt

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Majority

| image2 = 140x140px

| nominee2 = Stephen Lusher

| colour2 = 008000

| popular_vote2 = Minority

| image3 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT|140x140px}}

| nominee3 = Ray Braithwaite

| colour3 = 008000

| popular_vote3 = Minority

| image4 = File:Tom McVeigh 1974 (cropped).jpg

| nominee4 = Tom McVeigh

| colour4 = 008000

| popular_vote4 = Minority

| image5 = File:Ian Robinson 1974 (cropped).jpg

| nominee5 = Ian Robinson

| colour5 = 008000

| popular_vote5 = Minority

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Gwydir (NSW)

| 1data2 = Hume (NSW)

| 1data3 = Dawson (QLD)

| 1data4 = Darling Downs (QLD)

| 1data5 = Cowper (NSW)

| title = Deputy Leader

| before_election = Ian Sinclair

| after_election = Ralph Hunt

}}}}}}

{{Clear}}

A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 23 July 1987, following the Coalition's defeat at the 1987 federal election. Ian Sinclair was re-elected as party leader, defeating a challenge from Ray Braithwaite; he "won comfortably" with a vote of 20-6.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1920/Quick_Guides/PartyLeadershipChangesChallenges|title = Party leadership changes and challenges: A quick guide}} Bruce Lloyd was elected deputy leader in place of Ralph Hunt, who did not re-contest the position. Lloyd defeated seven other candidates – Charles Blunt, Ian Cameron, Tim Fischer, Noel Hicks, Peter McGauran, Ian Robinson, and John Stone.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118145497|title=Sinclair in battle for coalition|date=24 July 1987|newspaper=The Canberra Times}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1987 National Party of Australia leadership spill

| country = Australia

| flag_image = 150px

| election_date = 23 July 1987

| previous_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1984

| previous_year = 1984

| next_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1989

| next_year = 1989

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 140x140px

| nominee1 = Ian Sinclair

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = 20

| percentage1 = 76.92%

| image2 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT|140x140px}}

| nominee2 = Ray Braithwaite

| colour2 = 008000

| popular_vote2 = 6

| percentage2 = 23.07%

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = New England (NSW)

| 1data2 = Dawson (QLD)

| title = Leader

| before_election = Ian Sinclair

| after_election = Ian Sinclair

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Deputy leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 140x140px

| nominee1 = Bruce Lloyd

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Majority

| image2 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT|140x140px}}

| nominee2 = Charles Blunt

| colour2 = 008000

| popular_vote2 = Minority

| image3 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT|140x140px}}

| nominee3 = Ian Cameron

| colour3 = 008000

| popular_vote3 = Minority

| image4 = 140x140px

| nominee4 = Tim Fischer

| colour4 = 008000

| popular_vote4 = Minority

| image5 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT|140x140px}}

| nominee5 = Noel Hicks

| colour5 = 008000

| popular_vote5 = Minority

| image6 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT|140x140px}}

| nominee6 = Peter McGauran

| colour6 = 008000

| popular_vote6 = Minority

| image7 = 140x140px

| nominee7 = Ian Robinson

| colour7 = 008000

| popular_vote7 = Minority

| image8 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT|140x140px}}

| nominee8 = John Stone

| colour8 = 008000

| popular_vote8 = Minority

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Murray (NSW)

| 1data2 = Richmond (NSW)

| 1data3 = Maranoa (QLD)

| 1data4 = Farrer (NSW)

| 1data5 = Riverina-Darling (NSW)

| 1data6 = Gippsland (VIC)

| 1data7 = Page (NSW)

| 1data8 = Senator for Queensland

| title = Deputy Leader

| before_election = Ralph Hunt

| after_election = Bruce Lloyd

}}}}}}

{{Clear}}

A vote for the leadership was held on 10 May 1989. Charles Blunt was elected leader in place of Ian Sinclair. The Liberal Party simultaneously voted to replace its leader John Howard with Andrew Peacock.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122261035|title=Draftees' double ambush|date=10 May 1989|newspaper=The Canberra Times}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1989 National Party of Australia leadership spill

| country = Australia

| flag_image = 150px

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| election_date = 10 May 1989

| previous_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1987

| previous_year = 1987

| next_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1990

| next_year = 1990

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT}}

| nominee1 = Charles Blunt

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Unopposed

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Richmond (NSW)

| title = Leader

| before_election = Ian Sinclair

| after_election = Charles Blunt

}}

{{Clear}}

A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 10 April 1990, due to the defeat of Charles Blunt at the 1990 federal election.

Tim Fischer was elected party leader ahead of four other candidates – John Sharp, Peter McGauran, Garry Nehl, and former leader Ian Sinclair. The results were not formally released, but The Canberra Times reported that Fischer defeated Sharp by 12 votes to 8 on the final ballot, with McGauran the last to be eliminated. Bruce Lloyd was re-elected deputy leader, defeating a challenge from Noel Hicks.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122099259|title=Introducing Tim Fischer|date=11 April 1990|newspaper=The Canberra Times}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1990 National Party of Australia leadership election

| country = Australia

| flag_image = 150px

| election_date = 10 April 1990

| previous_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1989

| previous_year = 1989

| next_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1993

| next_year = 1993

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 140x140px

| nominee1 = Tim Fischer

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = 12

| percentage1 = 60.0%

| image2 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT}}

| nominee2 = John Sharp

| colour2 = 008000

| popular_vote2 = 8

| percentage2 = 40.0%

| image3 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT}}

| nominee3 = Peter McGauran

| colour3 = 008000

| popular_vote3 = Eliminated

| percentage3 = Eliminated

| image4 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT}}

| nominee4 = Garry Nehl

| colour4 = 008000

| popular_vote4 = Eliminated

| percentage4 = Eliminated

| image5 = 140x140px

| nominee5 = Ian Sinclair

| colour5 = 008000

| popular_vote5 = Eliminated

| percentage5 = Eliminated

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Farrer (NSW)

| 1data2 = Gilmore (NSW)

| 1data3 = Gippsland (VIC)

| 1data4 = Cowper (NSW)

| 1data5 = New England (NSW)

| title = Leader

| before_election = Charles Blunt

| after_election = Tim Fischer

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Deputy leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 140x140px

| nominee1 = Bruce Lloyd

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = >10

| image2 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT}}

| nominee2 = Noel Hicks

| colour2 = 008000

| popular_vote2 = <10

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Murray (NSW)

| 1data2 = Riverina-Darling (NSW)

| title = Deputy Leader

| before_election = Bruce Lloyd

| after_election = Bruce Lloyd

}}}}}}

{{clear}}

A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 24 March 1993.

Tim Fischer defeated Ian Sinclair to retain the leadership of the party. The margin of the vote was not released and different sources reported different figures.

John Anderson was elected deputy leader ahead of five other candidates, including shadow ministers Peter McGauran, John Sharp, and Bruce Scott.{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127203954|title='Kind' challenge won by Fischer|author=Tom Connors|date=24 March 1993|newspaper=The Canberra Times}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1993 National Party of Australia leadership election

| country = Australia

| flag_image = 150px

| election_date = 24 March 1993

| previous_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1990

| previous_year = 1990

| next_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1990

| next_year = 1999

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 140x140px

| nominee1 = Tim Fischer

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Majority

| image2 = 140x140px

| nominee2 = Ian Sinclair

| colour2 = 008000

| popular_vote2 = Minority

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Farrer (NSW)

| 1data2 = New England (NSW)

| title = Leader

| before_election = Tim Fischer

| after_election = Tim Fischer

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Deputy leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 140x140px

| nominee1 = John Anderson

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Majority

| image2 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT}}

| nominee2 = Peter McGauran

| colour2 = 008000

| popular_vote2 = Minority

| image4 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT}}

| nominee4 = John Sharp

| colour4 = 008000

| popular_vote4 = Minority

| image5 = 140x140px

| nominee5 = Bruce Scott

| colour5 = 008000

| popular_vote5 = Minority

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Gwydir (NSW)

| 1data2 = Gippsland (VIC)

| 1data4 = Hume (NSW)

| 1data5 = Maranoa (QLD)

| title = Deputy Leader

| before_election = Bruce Lloyd

| after_election = John Anderson

}}}}}}

{{clear}}

A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 1 July 1999, following the resignation of Tim Fischer.

John Anderson was elected leader unopposed, with Mark Vaile elected as his deputy.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s32627.htm|title= John Anderson elected National Party leader|work=The World Today|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=1 July 1999}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1999 National Party of Australia leadership election

| country = Australia

| flag_image = 150px

| election_date = 1 July 1999

| previous_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1993

| previous_year = 1993

| next_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#2005

| next_year = 2005

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 160x160px

| nominee1 = John Anderson

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Unopposed

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Gwydir (NSW)

| title = Leader

| before_election = Tim Fischer

| after_election = John Anderson

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Deputy leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 160x160px

| nominee1 = Mark Vaile

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Unopposed

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Lyne (NSW)

| title = Deputy Leader

| before_election = John Anderson

| after_election = Mark Vaile

}}}}}}

{{clear}}

A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 23 June 2005, following John Anderson's retirement announcement. Mark Vaile was elected unopposed as the new leader, while Warren Truss was elected deputy leader ahead of four other candidates – Peter McGauran, John Cobb, Ian Causley, and De-Anne Kelly.{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/deputy-pm-calls-it-quits-20050624-ge0efh.html|newspaper=The Age|date=24 June 2005|title=Deputy PM calls it quits }} Anderson's resignation as party leader did not take effect until 6 July 2005.{{cite Au Parliament |mpid=4K4 |name=Hon John Anderson MP |access-date=2021-11-07}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2005 National Party of Australia leadership election

| country = Australia

| flag_image = 150px

| election_date = 23 June 2005

| previous_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#1999

| previous_year = 1999

| next_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#2007

| next_year = 2007

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 160x160px

| nominee1 = Mark Vaile

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Unopposed

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Lyne (NSW)

| title = Leader

| before_election = John Anderson

| after_election = Mark Vaile

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Deputy leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 140x140px

| nominee1 = Warren Truss

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Majority

| image2 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT}}

| nominee2 = Peter McGauran

| colour2 = 008000

| popular_vote2 = Minority

| image3 = 140x140px

| nominee3 = John Cobb

| colour3 = 008000

| popular_vote3 = Minority

| image4 = {{Election image filler|National Party of Australia|NAT}}

| nominee4 = Ian Causley

| colour4 = 008000

| popular_vote4 = Minority

| image5 = 140x140px

| nominee5 = De-Anne Kelly

| colour5 = 008000

| popular_vote5 = Minority

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Wide Bay (QLD)

| 1data2 = Gippsland (VIC)

| 1data3 = Parkes (NSW)

| 1data4 = Page (NSW)

| 1data5 = Dawson (QLD)

| title = Deputy Leader

| before_election = Barnaby Joyce

| after_election = Fiona Nash

}}}}}}

{{clear}}

A vote for the leadership and deputy leadership was held on 3 December 2007, following Mark Vaile's resignation and the Liberal-National coalition's defeat at the 2007 federal election.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/26/2101816.htm?section=australia |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717021940/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/26/2101816.htm?section=australia |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 July 2012 |title=Outgoing Vaile resists amalgamation calls |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=2007-11-26 |access-date=2012-02-25}} Warren Truss was the only announced candidate and had Vaile's support.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Truss-to-nominate-for-Nats-leadership/2007/11/28/1196036943403.html |title=Truss to nominate for Nats' leadership |publisher=Smh.com.au |date=2007-11-28 |access-date=2012-02-25}}

At the party meeting, Truss was elected as leader unanimously and Country Liberal Party senator Nigel Scullion was elected as his deputy.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nationals-decide-it-is-a-matter-of-truss/2007/12/03/1196530576374.html |title=Nationals decide it is a matter of Truss |publisher=Smh.com.au |date=2007-12-04 |access-date=2012-02-25}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2007 National Party of Australia leadership election

| country = Australia

| flag_image = 150px

| election_date = 3 December 2007

| previous_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#2005

| previous_year = 2005

| next_election = 2016 National Party of Australia leadership election

| next_year = 2016

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 160x160px

| nominee1 = Warren Truss

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Unopposed

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Wide Bay (QLD)

| title = Leader

| before_election = Mark Vaile

| after_election = Warren Truss

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Deputy leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 160x160px

| nominee1 = Nigel Scullion

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Unopposed

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Senator for the NT

| title = Deputy Leader

| before_election = Warren Truss

| after_election = Nigel Scullion

}}}}}}

{{clear}}

On 11 February 2016, National Party leader, Warren Truss announced his intention to retire at the 2016 federal election would immediately stand aside as Leader of The Nationals.

Truss's deputy Barnaby Joyce, was elected unopposed as Truss' replacement, with Fiona Nash as his deputy.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-11/federal-politics-live-blog-february-11/7158448|title=As it happened: Barnaby Joyce elected unopposed to Nationals leadership, Fiona Nash deputy |work=ABC News |location=Australia|date=11 February 2016|access-date=14 August 2017}} Consequently, Joyce was then sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister of Australia on 18 February 2016.{{cite web|url=http://gg.gov.au/events/ministerial-swearing-ceremony-0|title=Ministerial Swearing-in Ceremony|work=Events|publisher=Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia|date=18 February 2016|access-date=19 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301170128/http://gg.gov.au/events/ministerial-swearing-ceremony-0|archive-date=1 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2016 National Party of Australia leadership election

| country = Australia

| flag_image = 150px

| election_date = 11 February 2016

| previous_election = National Party of Australia leadership elections#2007

| previous_year = 2007

| next_election = 2018 National Party of Australia leadership election

| next_year = 2018

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 160x160px

| nominee1 = Barnaby Joyce

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Unopposed

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = New England (NSW)

| title = Leader

| before_election = Warren Truss

| after_election = Barnaby Joyce

| module = {{Infobox election

| election_name = Deputy leadership election

| embed = yes

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| vote_type = Caucus

| image1 = 160x160px

| nominee1 = Fiona Nash

| colour1 = 008000

| popular_vote1 = Unopposed

| 1blank = Seat

| 1data1 = Senator for NSW

| title = Deputy Leader

| before_election = Barnaby Joyce

| after_election = Fiona Nash

}}}}}}

{{clear}}

{{main|2018 National Party of Australia leadership election}}

On 26 February 2018, the Nationals held a party room meeting at which Barnaby Joyce formally resigned to the backbench. Michael McCormack was seen as the favourite to become leader, and was the only declared candidate as at 25 February. At the meeting he secured the support of a majority of the 21 National Party parliamentarians, seeing off a last-minute challenge from Queensland MP George Christensen.{{cite web|url=http://www.afr.com/news/politics/nationals-leadership-who-could-replace-barnaby-joyce-20180223-h0wja0 |title=Nationals leadership: who could replace Barnaby Joyce? |work=The Australian Financial Review |date=23 February 2018 |last=McIlroy |first=Tom |access-date=23 February 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-26/politics-live-monday-26-february-2018/9482838 |title=Nationals pick Michael McCormack as new leader in contested vote against George Christensen |work=ABC News (Australia) |date=26 February 2018 |access-date=26 February 2018 |last=Doran |first=Matthew}}

{{main|2020 National Party of Australia leadership spill}}

{{main|2021 National Party of Australia leadership spill}}

{{main|2022 National Party of Australia leadership spill}}

{{reflist}}

{{National Party of Australia}}

{{Leadership spills in Australia}}