Adrian Piccoli hopes the NSW government will introduce expanded mandatory child abuse reporting laws for churches after the Nationals voted in support of the move.
The former state education minister interrupted the NSW Nationals annual conference proceedings in Cowra to introduce a motion calling for laws requiring religious clergy to report child abuse, regardless of the seal of confession.
The motion - seconded by Police Minister Troy Grant - passed after brief debate on Friday.
Mr Piccoli said he hoped the government would legislate what was now NSW Nationals policy.
"I would hope that the NSW government takes it up and introduces the legislation in the same way they've done in South Australia and shortly in the ACT," Mr Piccoli told AAP.
"If you change that legislation and a priest doesn't report for something they hear in the confessional then they cop the penalty, whatever it is, a fine or go to jail - and I hope they do."
Both NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack addressed the conference, held at Cowra's PCYC, in the state's central west.
In his speech, Mr McCormack thanked his predecessor Barnaby Joyce - who skipped the conference - for his contribution to the party.
A range of motions, covering immigration, healthcare and taxation are set to feature in the conference, which will continue through Saturday.
The state party on Friday also resolved to continue the support of Australian live export after an impassioned speech from federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud.
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