Truss one of Nationals' 'greatest leaders'

Warren Truss stands as one the Nationals' greatest leaders for taking the rural party from despair to victory, the party's federal president says.

Larry Anthony has praised the retiring Nationals leader as a dependable, effective deputy prime minister, and a quiet achiever for regional Australia who took the party from 2007 lows to triumph at the 2013 election.

"Politicians from all sides have learned to never underestimate Warren Truss," he said in a statement on Thursday.

Former Nationals leader and deputy prime minister Tim Fischer also praised Mr Truss.

"Warren Truss can walk tall after a fine innings, building many bridges and paving the way for Badgerys Creek," he told AAP.