Peter Ryan stood down as leader after the Coalition's loss at Saturday's State Election.

Mr Walsh previously served as deputy under Mr Ryan.

Newly elected MP Stephanie Ryan will be Mr Walsh's deputy.

Mr Walsh was Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Water in the Napthine and Baillieu governments and was first elected to parliament in 2002.

He was the member for Swan Hill before the seat was abolished following a redistribution.

Mr Walsh contested the new seat of Murray Plains at Saturday's election where he leads by almost 24 per cent of the two party-preferred with 58 per cent of the vote counted.

Mr Ryan will now move to the opposition backbench in his role as Member for Gippsland South.