By LIAM DURKIN
AND that little boy who started out as a cadet journalist grew up to be… a state political leader.
Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien was last week elected unopposed as leader of the Victorian Nationals.
The appointment came after incumbent Peter Walsh advised the party room he was stepping down.
Sale-based MP, Mr O’Brien paid tribute to his predecessor, saying he hoped to continue his work fighting for regional Victorians.
“It is the greatest honour to have been elected as leader of The Nationals,” Mr O’Brien said.
“For over 100 years, The Nationals have served the interests of rural and regional Victoria. That will not change.
“I want to assure the people of Gippsland South that my responsibilities to my electorate will always come first.
“I will continue to ensure I remain available and accessible to anyone in need of assistance with state government related matters right across Gippsland South.
“I entered politics because I have always believed rural and regional people get a raw deal.
“Both as leader of our great party and as the state Member for Gippsland South, I will fight every day for country people like us to get a fair go.
“I look forward to working with our deputy Emma Kealy and the rest of the team to continue serving Gippsland South as well as the people of the rest of rural and regional Victoria.”
Mr Walsh, who turns 71 next month, has led the party at state level for the last decade after first representing the electorate of Swan Hill in 2002, which became Murray Plains thereafter.
Nationals leader David Littleproud congratulated Mr Walsh on his tremendous service, highlighting his greatest achievement in seeing the Victorian Nationals party room enjoy its best result since the 1940s at the last state election.
There, The Nationals were able to win lower house seats in Morwell, Sheapparton and Mildura.
Victory in Morwell was of particular note, as the local seat (won by Martin Cameron) was contested by an unprecedented 12 candidates and considered one of the most marginal in the state.
“Peter Walsh has been one of the greatest leaders for The Victorian Nationals because he never wavered in his commitment for regional, rural and remote Victorians,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Importantly, Mr Walsh took regional Victoria with him on the journey, leading to outstanding results in the 2022 state election.
“This led to an impressive 11 seats. The Victorian Nationals team proudly now has more women than men, all who were elected on their own merit.
“Thanks to his courage and conviction, The Victorian Nationals can now head to the next state election with great confidence.”
The next state election could well be a Gippsland takeover if recent numbers are any indication.
While Victorians won’t cast their vote for another two years, latest Resolve poll numbers pointed to Traralgon-born Liberal leader John Pesutto as preferred Premier over Jacinta Allan.
If the Coalition wins the 2026 election, Mr O’Brien (who was also born in Traralgon) will become deputy premier.
With Mr O’Brien’s Nationals colleague and Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath also elevated to the shadow ministry last week, the Nationals may well have been celebrating Daryl Kerrigan style: “Looks like everybody’s kicked a goal”.
Labor meanwhile might be tempted to bring out their own quote from The Castle at the thought of a Pesutto government: “Tell him he’s dreaming”.
MESSAGES TO DANNY O’BRIEN
Darren Chester – Federal Member for Gippsland (Nationals)
DANNY O’Brien has a proven track record of fighting for regional communities, and as a father of two teenage children, he will bring a fresh direction and new energy to the role of Victorian leader of The Nationals.
I’ve known Danny and his wife, Vicki, for more than 25 years, and they are a formidable team. Both are active members of community and sporting organisations and share a passion for the future of young people growing up in rural and regional Victoria.
Outgoing leader Peter Walsh has rebuilt The Nationals in Victoria and leaves a legacy he can be proud of. Peter’s lifetime of service in agri-politics and The Nationals has been outstanding, and I have personally benefited from his insights and understanding of regional issues.
I’m looking forward to working with the State Parliamentary team as The Nationals continue to fight for a safer, stronger and better regional Australia, where everyone can get ahead.
John Pesutto – State Opposition Leader (Liberal)
I ACKNOWLEDGE and congratulate Danny O’Brien, as someone who also hails from Traralgon originally, who has become leader of the National party with Emma Kealy as his deputy.
It’s the first time in Victoria’s political history that you have two leaders, one of the Liberal Party, one of the National Party, coming from the same town and who went to the same school within a few years of each other.
Danny and I both attended St Paul’s College in Traralgon many years ago now, but we’re punching above our weight as a hometown.
I also extend a sincere and abiding thanks to Peter Walsh for his contribution not only to the National party, but for his tremendous and unyielding support for me as leader in my first two years as leader.
Melina Bath – Member for Eastern Victoria Region (Nationals)
MEMBER for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien’s endorsement as our new Nationals’ Leader reflects the confidence our state team has in his vision and ability to deliver a better future for regional Victorians.
Having known Danny for 20 years, I appreciate how conscientious, sincere and capable he is, and I look forward to working with him and deputy leader Emma Kealy to fight for the issues that are important to rural and regional Victorians.
I am (also) excited to tackle my new role as Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Aboriginal Affairs and relish the opportunity bestowed on me.
Martin Cameron – Member for Morwell (Nationals)
DANNY’S knowledge of and passion for Gippsland is unrivalled, and as he has done throughout his 10 years in Parliament, he’ll continue to make sure our focus remains on the issues that really matter to regional Victorians.
I want to also acknowledge the contributions of Peter Walsh, who is a giant of politics and led the party for an incredible 10 years with courage and poise.
Both Danny and Peter have been terrific mentors for me as a first-term MP, and their guidance continues to be invaluable for everyone in the party room.
The Nationals remain firmly focused on ensuring the Coalition is in a position to win the 2026 election.
Tim Bull – Member for Gippsland East (Nationals)
MR Bull said tongue in cheek: “Having known Danny since he did journalism work experience under me, which no doubt had a major influence on his development, I am delighted to see him in the leadership position.”
But on a more serious note, he and Emma will make a great leadership team and I thank Peter Walsh for his amazing efforts over the past decade.
We are a close team and will continue to fight hard for rural and regional areas.
Wayne Farnham – Member for Narracan (Liberal)
DANNY O’Brien’s election as leader of the Victorian Nationals is a great recognition of his work as Member for Gippsland South and a Shadow Minister.
Danny has been a key member of the Liberal/Nationals Shadow Cabinet team who have worked every day to provide Victorians with an alternative to the Allan Labor government.
I look forward to continuing to work closely with Danny on the issues that all Victorians and Gippslanders care about.
Scott Rossetti – One Gippsland Chair
ONE Gippsland has enjoyed a productive relationship with both Mr Walsh and Mr O’Brien as we’ve worked to secure more government investment for priority projects across Gippsland.
Mr Walsh has had a long and successful career in public life and has worked hard to make a positive contribution to the lives of people across regional Victoria, including here in Gippsland. We wish him well.
Mr O’Brien is a born-and-bred Gippslander. He knows Gippsland as well as any of us and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with him as the Member for Gippsland South and now also as the leader of the Victorian Nationals.
