While the lull before Christmas has traditionally been known in the cut-throat world of Australian politics as “the killing season”, the recent resignation of the NSW Nationals' leader, our local Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, seems very much a personal decision.

Saunders’ announcement came out of the blue earlier this week, on Monday, November 17, surprising many in political circles as well as across his strong regional following.

Issuing a short statement on his resignation, Saunders said: “For the past two and a half years I have had the privilege of leading the NSW Nationals — today I am stepping down from that position.

“It’s a difficult decision but it is the right time for me to take a step back and focus more on my family and myself,” he went on.

“I will continue to serve the people of the Dubbo electorate as their local member,” Saunders concluded.

The former radio host took over the top job for the country-based party soon after the Coalition defeat in the last State election.

Showing the changing of the guard in our growing multicultural bush towns and communities, the new NSW Nationals' leader is the Member for Coffs Harbour, Gurmesh Singh, who has a Sikh religious background.