Mr Christensen's intervention could be seen as a signal to the new leadership that he intends to continue his abrasive political style of right wing populism which has seen him campaign aggressively on policy differences with the Turnbull government on a range of issues from climate change, to immigration, and even to the formal partnership with the Liberal Party. Mr McCormack automatically becomes Deputy Prime Minister under a Coalition agreement between the Nationals and the larger Liberal Party. "I will honour that faith and trust and responsibility by doing my best always. I am a team player and I am going to be doing it with the very best team in rural and regional Australia," Mr McCormack said shortly after the ballot, flanked by his team. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The 8am meeting in Parliament House ended weeks of damaging controversy dogging the Turnbull government, the Nationals, and in particular the former high-profile leader, Mr Joyce.

Mr Joyce fell amid criticism of his affair with his former media adviser Vikki Campion, with whom he is now expecting a child, and an allegation of sexual harassment. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce listens to the party's new leader, Michael McCormack, address the media on Monday. Credit:Domimic Lorrimer In the lead-up to the meeting, Mr McCormack saw off a strong challenge from talented newcomer, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, who leapfrogged the Mr McCormack and the outer ministry to go straight into cabinet in the reshuffle announced by Mr Turnbull just before Christmas 2017. Sources say Mr Littleproud was as close as one vote away from securing an absolute majority but was subject to a spirited campaign against him by fellow Queenslander, Barry O'Sullivan. Party whip Michelle Landry announced the result of the party room ballot but declined to say what the final numbers were.

"I would like to announce that we had a contested leadership ballot. George Christensen and Michael McCormack put their names forward and Michael McCormack is now the new leader," said Ms Landry. "That is very exciting. I would also like to say I bought myself a new whip this week to keep the boys in line in the party room .... We are not revealing the numbers." National Party whip Michelle Landry announces the new leader of the National Party to the media on Monday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Sources from the party room said Mr McCormack won the ballot easily. Mr McCormack declared himself a team builder and praised his predecessor.

"I want to place on record an acknowledgement for Barnaby Joyce," Mr McCormack said. "He has been an outstanding leader. His service to our party and to our nation will never be diminished. His legacy will endure and his continued work for and on behalf of our nation, for and on behalf of our party, and for and on behalf of regional Australia will also continue." "I wish him well into the future and I look forward to him being part of our strong National Party going forward." After embracing Mr Christensen, the newly elected leader left the Nationals' party room to begin talks with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The new leader of the National Party, Michael McCormack, flanked by Nationals MPs following a leadership ballot on Monday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Those talks will cover ministerial posts, and other aspects of the secretive Coalition agreement which is to be renegotiated. He is expected to sworn into cabinet as early as today. Labor's Andrew Leigh said Mr McCormack's selection represented a return to some of the lower key leaders of the past of a party he pilloried as one of "squatters and show-ponies". A former journalist and editor, Mr McCormack is regarded as a mainstream conservative but has struggled to live down homophobic comments he expressed in print and for which he has since apologised. While the Nationals' leadership has now been settled, the hangover for bruised Nationals is expected to continue with simmering resentments over the role of some in publicly undermining Mr Joyce, and the role of others in campaigning against the Joyce loyalist, Mr Littleproud, despite his strong support.