Nationals MP Ben Franklin has defied his party by becoming the president of the New South Wales upper house at the start of the 58th sitting of parliament.
The former Coalition government minister nominated himself for the plum position.
His decision to run for the job was the catalyst for a National Party leadership spill yesterday in which Paul Toole was dumped.
Mr Toole was replaced by Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders after a party room vote 10 to 5.
Mr Franklin was not in the room for the vote.
Earlier in the day, revelations had surfaced that Mr Toole had privately supported Mr Franklin's tilt for the job, despite his public statements warning him against it.
Mr Saunders made a last ditch attempt to convince Mr Franklin not to nominate, but failed.
It takes a Coalition vote off the floor of parliament, while preserving a Labor vote in a minority government.
When he assumed the chair, Mr Franklin acknowledged there had been "commentary" about him becoming president.
"I deeply understand the importance of this role," he said.
"There is nothing more important than having an independent and impartial umpire of a chamber to ensure its dignity is upheld."
'Not interested in tactics and shambles and charades'
Ahead of his appointment, the opposition attempted to obstruct the process in the chamber and make the point that the president position generally goes to a government MP.
It nominated every sitting Labor MP in the upper house, to which they all declined the nomination.
Hours earlier the Opposition Leader Mark Speakman stated the Coalition was "not interested in playing games".
"We're not interested in tactics and shambles and charades," he said.
"We're here to serve the people of NSW."
Mr Speakman finally unveiled the full Coalition shadow cabinet on the same day parliament resumed, after announcing the senior positions last week.
"We've had a few bumps along the way," Mr Speakman said.
"But here we are. We're ready for action. We now have a strong, united Coalition shadow ministry."
At 26 members, it's larger than the Minns ministry which has 23.
The former premier Dominic Perrottet is not on the frontbench, nor is former minister Anthony Roberts who contested Mr Speakman for the leadership.
The new member for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane, has gone straight to Coalition's frontbench as Shadow Minister for the Environment.
There was a special sitting of parliament this morning to mark the start of the term.
There was a smoking ceremony and all new and returning MPs were sworn in, before the presiding officer positions were appointed.
There is also a non-government speaker of the lower house.
Independent MP Greg Piper has taken on the position
