The New South Wales Nationals leader, Dugald Saunders, has stepped down from the role ahead of a party room meeting, citing family reasons.

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.

The Liberals are expected to consider the issue on Tuesday. There have been ongoing tensions within the Coalition in NSW over a range of issues, including controls on wild horse populations in national parks and the Great Koala national park. Kellie Sloane is tipped to replace Mark Speakman as NSW Liberal leader. That should make life tougher for Chris Minns Read more

The party’s previous leader, Bathurst MP Paul Toole, is expected to run for the top job again

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