Overview
- Saunders said he was stepping down to take a step back for family reasons and to allow fresh leadership before the next state poll.
- He led the party for two-and-a-half years and will continue serving as the Dubbo MP.
- Colleagues were caught off guard after a brief message to MPs was followed minutes later by a public statement, according to reports.
- The vacancy is expected to attract contenders, with former leader Paul Toole considered likely to run and Gurmesh Singh and Steph Cooke mentioned but not confirmed.
- The departure comes as the Coalition wrestles with climate policy after the NSW Nationals voted to drop a 2050 net zero target, with the Liberals due to consider the issue on Tuesday.