State Deputy Nationals leader Andrew Fraser has been dumped from his role, in a party leadership spill.
The move follows the Nationals' devastating results in the weekend by-election, after it failed to re-claim the seat of Port Macquarie off the Independents.
NSW Nationals Leader Andrew Stoner says he's "saddened" at Mr Fraser's demotion, but insists the party has to move forward.
“He knows that politics is a tough game, he knows it was a decision of the partyroom – it wasn’t particularly my decision,” he said.
“And he knows that the elevation of Andrew Piccoli was about the members wanting to see a change in the party, looking to the future and bringing on a fresh new face.”