A macadamia nut farmer newly installed as NSW Nationals leader argues the coalition is not fractured, despite radical positions on climate change.
Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh was elected unopposed as leader on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after former broadcaster Dugald Saunders' shock resignation for family reasons.
In his pitch to disaffected coalition voters, Mr Singh emphasised a message of unity.
"Governments need to be doing not just talking, and that's something that the coalition has delivered in spades," he told reporters in his first press conference as the regional party leader.
"We've got a track record ... we have people who've been very successful ministers in the past, and a lot of talent coming through, ready to take the baton up at the next election."
But when pushed on his position on net zero which the party membership has resolutely opposed, Mr Singh was diplomatic on how he would work with the Liberals.
"We've got to work constructively with our coalition partners because we believe we are better placed to form government."
He said he was a believer in renewable energy and previously used it in his business but attacked the Labor government for their roll out of projects in the regions that are "tearing those communities."
Elected in 2019, the self-proclaimed policy nerd has decried the emphasis on his ethnic Sikh heritage.
"I never see myself as anything but Aussie," Mr Singh said.
Meanwhile, the NSW Liberals voted on Tuesday to keep their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
That stands them apart from their federal counterparts and signals their priority to win back inner suburban seats.
The next state election is less than 18 months away.
Some 48 per cent of voters in NSW feel the coalition should keep the emissions reduction target, against 33 per cent opposing it, according to leaked internal polling.
Mr Speakman survived the killing season and showed up for Question Time at midday on Tuesday after feverish speculation former TV news anchor turned Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane was gunning for his position.
Containing his glee at a weakened opposition, Premier Chris Minns said his foes on the Liberal side were caught in an "identity crisis".
