Joyce to challenge Windsor in New England

SENATOR Barnaby Joyce is the Nationals' choice to take on federal independent MP Tony Windsor for the NSW seat of New England.

Senator Joyce was the favourite to win the preselection race against 34-year-old software entrepreneur David Gregory.

NSW Nationals MP Niall Blair, who was chairing the preselection in Tamworth, said on Twitter that the ballot closed about 1pm (AEST).

Mr Blair then announced Senator Joyce as the victor.

Earlier on Saturday the senator told the ABC he was confident of a win at the party level but that his tilt against Mr Windsor, who holds his regional NSW seat with a margin of 21 per cent, would be a "momentous struggle".

Senator Joyce will now have to resign from the Senate by the time writs are issued for the September 14 election, and the Queensland Liberal Nationals will have to find a replacement for the Senate vacancy.

In a statement, the Nationals said their local rank and file had "overwhelmingly" endorsed Senator Joyce.

Mr Blair said the senator's willingness to leave his Queensland senate seat demonstrated his commitment to the New England region.

"Barnaby is leaving a safe seat in the Senate to represent the area in which he grew up, against a four-term MP who has the full support of the Labor government," he said.

"They don't come much more committed than that."

He said Senator Joyce, who grew up and went to university in the New England region, had strong networks across the electorate and was "relishing" the opportunity to get back to his roots.

Nationals leader Warren Truss said the seat would play a crucial role in the coalition's bid to depose the federal government in September.

"Despite his so-called independent label, Tony Windsor has been in lock-step with Julia Gillard since forming their unholy alliance three long years ago," Mr Truss said.

"He shares responsibility for all of Labor's bungles, scandals and waste over that time, including the carbon and mining tax fiascos which he wholeheartedly supported."

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