Mr McCormack was elected as new leader of the Nationals on Monday after former leader Barnaby Joyce quit in the wake of a scandal about his relationship with a former staffer and two jobs created for her in the offices of other party MPs.

Mr McCormack, who has taken over the portfolios of transport and infrastructure, is starting in his new role “on the back foot”, according to CSU academic Dominic O’Sullivan.

“Already, people are starting to question his capabilities,” Professor O’Sullivan said.

“He is going to be under real scrutiny. It’s a big jump, from a relatively junior ministry to deputising for the prime minister.”

Professor O’Sullivan described the current atmosphere in Canberra as highly charged and said McCormack faced the addition challenge of leading his party while its “disgruntled former leader” – Mr Joyce – remained in the Parliament.

“And that former leader is also probably more skilled at politics," he said.

Professor O’Sullivan said the changing Australian demographic – with more and more people moving to urban areas – would continue to present challenges.

“The Nationals are already struggling for relevance. They don’t have a monopoly on seats in rural Australia,” he said.

“But people who assume leadership roles in difficult situations often have very low expectations on them, so it can be relatively easy to exceed them.”

Mr McCormack’s “heart and soul” are in regional Australia, according to Nationals federal president Larry Anthony.

Former Member for Riverina Kay Hull, whose retirement paved way for Mr McCormack’s election to the seat in 2010, described him as “a National through and through”.

“He is an enormously hard worker. He will ensure the Nationals continue to deliver to rural and regional Australia,” she said.

Mrs Hull, who chose not to take on a ministerial role so she could help her electorate through the effects of a 12-year drought, said she believed Mr McCormack would be able to balance the demands of his electorate with those of his party and of government.

“Michael has the capacity to be the best of leaders of the Nationals,” she said.

“It is always difficult to balance, but when you are leader, you have to ensure all of regional Australia has attention. I’m sure the Riverina will not be overlooked.”

Former editor of The Daily Advertiser Graham Gorrel gave Mr McCormack his first job as a cadet journalist.

“He will do a good job,” Mr Gorrel said.

“I think at long last we will have a leader of stature who will listen to the people.

“This could be the key to his future success. He will need to listen to the people.

“He always did a good job in anything he tackled, both at work and outside of work, especially in sport.

“It’s good to see a country boy do well, and country boy is what he is. He’s got regional Australia at heart.”

Former Liberal senator Bill Heffernan, who farms at Junee, described Mr McCormack’s elevation as “a feather in the cap of Wagga”.

“Michael is a local boy raised on a farm. He has raised his own family in Wagga,” Mr Heffernan said.

“He is to be congratulated. This doesn’t come without a lot of hard work and personal sacrifice.”

“He is following the great example shown by (former Nationals leader and Member for Farrrer) Tim Fischer.”

Murrumbidgee Turf Club chief executive Scott Sanbrook worked with Mr McCormack at The Daily Advertiser.

“I started working with Michael in 1987 and he was my boss when he was editor in the 1990s,” Mr Sanbrook said.

“Michael was always a tireless worker when he was at The Daily Advertiser.

“He gave 100 per cent to his job on a daily basis and that’s carried through to his role as a politician.

“Michael is a good listener and tries his best to help out where he can.

“Not only does he have plenty of supporters in the Riverina, but also a number of good friends.

“Michael was on the Murrumbidgee Turf Club board for a number of years and his service to the club was invaluable.

“He took a great interest in the historical side of things and was versatile in the duties he performed.”

Wagga Mayor Greg Conkey has known Mr McCormack for 30 years, but said he has worked particularly closely with him since his own election 18 months ago.

“He is a great advocate for the city. I have appreciated his association with Wagga City Council,” Cr Conkey said.

Cr Conkey said Mr McCormack had played a significant role in ensuring funding for the multi-million dollar Bomen roads project had been available and was a strong advocate for small business.

“It is a gift for Wagga that the deputy prime minister was born and raised here, particularly as we have previously had Tim Fischer ‘just down the road’,” he said.