1. Paul Toole was the Minister for Regional New South Wales in the second Berejiklian and Perrottet ministries, from April 2019; the New South Wales Minister for Police in the Perrottet ministry from December 2021, and the New South Wales Shadow Minister for Police from March 2023.
Paul Toole is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, representing Bathurst for the Nationals since 26 March 2011.
Paul Toole was previously the Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals between 2019 and 2021; was the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads between April 2019 and December 2021; the Minister for Lands and Forestry and the Minister for Racing in the First Berejiklian ministry from January 2017 until March 2019; and the Minister for Local Government in the Second Baird ministry from April 2014 until January 2017.
Paul Toole is one of nine children raised by Trevor and Ellen Paul Toole, of Peel, a village outside Bathurst, in the central west of New South Wales.
Paul Toole's father was a thrice-unsuccessful candidate for state and federal political office, representing the National Party at the 1984 and 1995 state elections for Bathurst and the 1996 federal election, for Calare.
Paul Toole's grandfather, Jack Toole, was an unsuccessful Liberal candidate at 1956 state election, for Bathurst.
Two of Paul Toole's brothers were jailed in 2012 for running a major drug syndicate in Newcastle, and sentenced to seven and nine years in prison.
In 1992, Paul Toole began his school teaching career in Orange, New South Wales.
In 1995, Paul Toole was elected a councillor to Evans Shire Council.
On 30 October 2010, Paul Toole was the sole nominee that sought and gained endorsement by the National Party as the candidate for the state seat of Bathurst.
Paul Toole picked up enough of a swing to turn Bathurst from safe Labor to safe National in one stroke.
Paul Toole stated that he will remain on Council until the 2012 local government elections.
Paul Toole was sworn in on 30 January 2017 as the Minister for Lands and Forestry and the Minister for Racing in the first Berejiklian ministry.
Paul Toole was appointed as the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads in the second Berejiklian ministry, with effect from 2 April 2019.
In 2021, Paul Toole announced that 44 councils would be required to merge into 20 the councils challenged the action in court, and won.
Paul Toole later announced that he would run in the leadership contest, that was to take place the following day.
Paul Toole was sworn in as Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional New South Wales, and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads.
The election was won by Labor with a strong swing, but the Nationals lost just one seat, with Paul Toole retaining the seat of Bathurst.
Paul Toole won the initial leadership spill eight to seven.
Paul Toole remained in the Lower House as Shadow Minister for Police.