Mr Gee won an energetically contested ballot against three other candidates in Bathurst on Saturday.

Over 380 local members of the National Party turned out to vote for their preferred candidate to lead them into the upcoming federal election.

This will be Mr Gee’s first run at a federal level, after being elected as the State Member for Orange in 2011 and 2015.

Mr Gee thanked the assembled members, saying “I believe in a strong future for the Central West; it is the reason I stood for Parliament in 2011 and it is the reason I'm standing for Federal Parliament now.

“The people of this electorate deserve decent infrastructure and services as much as anyone living in Sydney and Canberra.

“As a proud National, it is my goal to ensure that our issues are a top priority for the next government.”

Mr Gee was successful in the ballot against Orange Councillor Scott Munro, Wellington Councillor Alison Conn and Bathurst businessman Sam Farraway.

All three congratulated Mr Gee and pledged to work to make sure that the seat stayed in strong National Party representation after the next election.

Mr Gee paid tribute to outgoing Calare MP John Cobb for his fifteen years of faithful service to the people of Western and Central-Western NSW.

“I’d like to thank John for his hard work and dedication, not only to the people of this electorate but to all of regional Australia, specifically in his time as Shadow Agriculture Minister.”

Mr Gee will hit the road immediately to canvass the thoughts of voters across the electorate.