The 53-year-old parliamentary veteran won over fellow National’s contenders David Gillespie, David Littleproud and George Christensen after Mr Joyce stood down from the leadership role.

McCormack has three children with his wife, Catherine, and prior to the election ran a small media business based in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

In a statement, Minister McCormack said he wanted to acknowledge Barnaby Joyce for his leadership of The Nationals over the past two years and thanked him for being a true advocate for the needs of regional areas. 

“His legacy will endure. I wish him well for the future,” McCormack said.

After Barnaby Joyce announced he would stand down on Friday, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said Barnaby Joyce had been the best Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister in living memory.

“Mr Joyce led The Nationals into the 2016 election campaign, when the party took all before it, holding all its seats against the swing and gaining the extra seat of Murray,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Joyce has been one of the great communicators of our time,” he said.

“He fought for the people who live on dirt roads, the people in the brick and tile houses and for better opportunities for all. Joyce has always been a powerful advocate for rural, regional and remote Australia and will continue to be.”