NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders has resigned from his position less than three years after taking the job and just one day after his 19-year-old daughter was featured in a documentary about the adult industry.
Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh was elected in his place as the party’s new leader on Tuesday morning in an uncontested ballot.
Kevin Anderson, the member for Tamworth, was elected deputy unopposed.
Mr Saunders informed colleagues of his decision to step down on Monday, stating it was to prioritise his family.
A spokesperson for the Dubbo MP described the timing as coincidental following his daughter’s appearance in the online pornography documentary, according to The Australian. It comes as a serious illness affects several family members.
“For the past 2½ years I have had the privilege of leading the NSW Nationals,” Mr Saunders said in a statement.
“It’s been an honour to lead the parliamentary team during a challenging time in opposition, and I’ve always done my best to represent regional NSW. It’s also the right time to allow a new leader to take up the fight ahead of the next election.”
Camera IconLeader of the NSW Nationals Party Dugald Saunders has announced he is stepping down from the role. Credit: BIANCA DE MARCHI/AAP
He also expressed gratitude to his supporters and confirmed he would continue serving his Dubbo electorate.
His daughter, Charlie, also known as Willow, made her debut as the star of a reality show focused on OnlyFans creators this week.
Camera Icon‘I’ve literally done everything, without my face in it.’ Charlie also uses the name Willow Ray on content platforms. Credit: Spicy Summer/Youtube
Sources told The Australian that Charlie has the full support of her family, including her father. Mr Saunders knew she was going on a reality TV program.
Charlie appeared on the first episode of Spicy Summer, describing how she began producing adult content at 18.
TikTok inspired her to join OnlyFans, she said.
Camera Icon‘Up until now, I’ve been doing solo content and have been a ‘faceless’ creator,’ she said. Credit: Spicy Summer/Youtube
“If they can do it, so can I,” she said, speaking candidly about experiencing bullying and commented that older women were “jealous” of OnlyFans creators because it “wasn’t around when they were younger and they just had to be a housewife and just get a basic job.”
“Up until now, I’ve been doing solo content and have been a ‘faceless’ creator,” she said.
“I’ve literally done everything, without my face in it.” Charlie also uses the name Willow Ray on content platforms.
“No girls growing up say they want to be Taylor Swift, because that won’t happen. But we can be like OnlyFans girls. We can get rich like they have.”
Camera Icon‘Tiktok’ inspired her to join Onlyfans, she said. Credit: Spicy Summer/Youtube
Mr Saunders took over the party leadership in 2023 after defeating Paul Toole. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman praised Mr Saunders’ “fairness, intelligence and warmth,” saying he remains “a champion for his Dubbo electorate.”
His resignation follows a tumultuous period for the NSW opposition, after the federal Liberal and National parties voted to dump net-zero.
The NSW Nationals last week also endorsed dropping the policy despite ongoing support for the target from Opposition Leader Mark Speakman.
The new leader, Mr Singh, a blueberry and macadamia farmer turned politician, was reportedly the only MP actively contacting colleagues about the leadership ahead of the vote.
Elected in 2019, he has held several shadow portfolios, including emergency services, regional affairs, and the North Coast, positioning him as a seasoned figure within the Nationals.
