The outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and leader of The Nationals, Mark Vaile, has announced that he is stepping down.
Vaile said it was time for generational change in the party. He said he would continue to represent his NSW electorate of Lyne.
Vaile’s departure means that the top three names in the Howard government have now effectively departed the political scene.
Vaile has represented the northern NSW electorate of Lyne since 1993.
He was appointed Minister for Transport and Regional Development in the Howard government in 1997. In 1998, he became Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. In July 1999, he became deputy leader of The Nationals when John Anderson became leader.
Vaile became Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister after Anderson retired in July 2005. He switched portfolios with Warren Truss in 2006 and became Minister for Transport and Regional Services.
- Listen to Mark Vaile’s Press Conference (21m)
