It comes in the wake of party leader Andrew Stoner’s announcement that he will retire from politics at the 2015 state election.

Mr Stoner said he will remain a minister until polling day, but as of today he will no longer be the deputy premier or Nationals leader.

Mr Toole confirmed late yesterday afternoon that he would not be putting his hand up for Mr Stoner’s job of leader.

He said he has a wife and three young children and wants to be part of their growing up.

“I may consider it in the future when my children are older, but not now,” Mr Toole said.

He said the deputy premier’s job would require too much time spent away from home.

Mr Toole said he enjoys his current role and being part of the local community. 

The ballot for leader of the NSW Nationals will be held at 8.30 this morning at a party room meeting amid much speculation.

In terms of the top job, there is speculation that Member for Dubbo and Hospitality Minister Troy Grant is the leading contender. 

Education Minister Adrian Piccoli and Natural Resources, Land and Water Minister and Minister for Western NSW Kevin Humphries are also tipped to put their hands up. 

Mr Toole would not be drawn on who he would put his support behind for the leader’s role, saying that it was not certain at this stage who would even stand. 

“Whoever takes the leadership needs to be someone who will represent regional NSW as strongly as Andrew Stoner did,” he said.

“Andrew Stoner was very professional, very dedicated and a very good friend of mine.

“Having been his parliamentary secretary I was very fortunate to learn much from him, which will only help me as I go forward in politics.”

Mr Toole said party members have had three-and-a-half years to get to know who will make a good leader.

“I will be looking for someone with a country focus, someone who will fight for regional NSW, someone who will continue with a strong investment in our region and someone who can bring the team along together,” he said.

Mr Toole said he admired Mr Stoner for making the decision to put his family first.

“Andrew spent 256 nights away from his wife and young children in the past year,” Mr Toole said.

“It was a tough decision, but he feels he needs to be there to support them.”

NSW Premier Mike Baird also paid tribute to Mr Stoner, saying he had been a great leader of the NSW Nationals, a fine deputy premier and, above all, a passionate advocate for regional NSW.

“Leading any political party is an enormous privilege, but to hold that position for almost 12 years is a truly remarkable achievement,” Mr Baird said.

“Mr Stoner has played an integral role in ensuring the NSW Liberals and Nationals have the strongest coalition in the nation.

“It is because of this partnership that the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is now making such a positive impact in regional communities right across our great state.” 

Leader of the government and leader of the National Party in the Upper House, Duncan Gay, said Mr Stoner would leave a strong and lasting legacy for the people of NSW.

“He was a grass roots leader – in his element and most comfortable when engaging with the people and communities of country NSW,” he said.

Mr Stoner said his family had faced a tough time recently and that his job had prevented him from being there for them.

“I have no job lined up,” he told reporters yesterday. “This is about placing my family first.”