“I’ll stand down as leader of the Nationals and Deputy Prime Minister at a convenient time for the Government, probably in the next few days,” Mr Truss told the House of Representatives on Thursday.

The long-time federal member for the seat of Wide Bay in Queensland informed the Parliament the Nationals would meet on Thursday night to choose a new leader.

Federal member for New England and Agriculture Minister, Barnaby Joyce, was subsequently elected unopposed to replace Warren Truss by the 21-strong Nationals party room at that 8pm meeting.

During his speech on Thursday Warren Truss joked, “When I became leader in 2007 nobody wanted the job, including me.”

“I’m pleased to say that now things are different and everyone wants the job,” he said with a grin, drawing big laughs from both sides of the chamber.

Warren Truss made his first speech to Parliament in May 1990, indicating then a soft spot for the close connection local government has with Australians and the need for politicians of all persuasions to work harder to improve the nation’s regional roads.

A quarter of a century on funding shortfalls for road building and maintenance in rural Australia remain one of the key concerns of many local government authorities.

Tributes for the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister have flowed from Government and Opposition colleagues alike, including Labor member for Hunter and Shadow Agriculture Minister, Joel Fitzgibbon.

Mr Fitzgibbon commended Warren Truss for his outstanding service to the Parliament.

“Warren Truss is a good man who has always tried his very best to put good public policy on equal ranking with, if not ahead of, good politics and that is something that is increasingly important in this place.

“He has been respected across the political divide not just because he has led a political party, but because he has earned that respect,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Before being named the new Nationals leader New England MP Barnaby Joyce was quick to pay homage to the man whose shoes he must now fill.

“Warren has served the people of Wide Bay and Australia with distinction over an exemplary 26-year career.

“He has personified decency, self-control [and] strength and delivered by acumen rather than by brute force,” Mr Joyce said.

In a Tweet several hours after pulling down the curtain on his political career, Warren Truss acknowledged the kind words of supporters.

“I greatly appreciate the generous comments in Parliament today following the announcement of my retirement.

“It has been a great honour,” he said.