Queensland senator Matt Canavan has been elected leader of the National Party, promising to “fight back” for Australians he says are being squeezed by falling living standards and a political class that looks “overseas” for answers.
Canavan’s elevation follows David Littleproud’s surprise decision to step down as Nationals leader after four years in the role, while remaining the MP for Maranoa.
In his first press conference as leader, Canavan argued Australia needed to go “hyper” on local manufacturing, lift birth rates and reclaim what he described as the country’s “relaxed and larrikin nature”.
“We’re losing our country,” he said, before adding,
“We need more Australian babies … more Australian humour, more Australian jokes, more Australian barbecues, sometimes often fuelled by fossil fuels.”
He rejected the idea that the Coalition’s path back to government depends on rebranding itself for inner-city voters, saying most people were not thinking in terms of “left” and “right”. “I just want to do what is right,” he said.
Canavan was elected in a party-room ballot triggered by Littleproud’s resignation, defeating contenders including Victorian senator Bridget McKenzie and Page MP Kevin Hogan. Gippsland MP Darren Chester was elected deputy leader after a separate contest.
Nationals whip Michelle Landry said the party needed “strong leadership” as it faced battles with Labor, One Nation and “the teals”.
The leadership change comes as the Nationals confront renewed competition on their right flank, with One Nation polling strongly in some regional seats and campaigning aggressively on cost-of-living pressures and dissatisfaction with the major parties.
Canavan’s first electoral test will come quickly, with the Nationals preparing for the Farrer by-election in May, which was triggered by the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley. The contest is shaping as a crowded race featuring One Nation, an independent backed by Climate 200 and Coalition candidates.
The new Nationals leader said he would “fight like hell” in Farrer, arguing the party’s record on regional infrastructure would resonate with voters.
While seeking to distinguish himself from Pauline Hanson’s party, Canavan also warned against what he called “identity politics” taking hold on the right.
He said he had been “very critical” of comments he believed divided Australians, adding:
“We are all Australians. What unites us as a country is more than what divides us.”
On energy and emissions, Canavan signalled he would continue opposing Labor’s renewables and net zero settings, arguing they were driving up power prices.
“I have nothing against solar, I’ve got it on my own roof,” he said, before claiming Australia was “doing way too much of a good thing”.
Canavan acknowledged his reputation for breaking ranks as a backbencher and senator, but said the leadership role required a different approach, pledging that his focus would be on lifting living standards.
A longer-term question for the Nationals is whether Canavan would seek a seat in the House of Representatives, given the party’s leader traditionally becomes deputy prime minister under a Coalition government. Asked about that prospect, he said his priority was leading the team he has now.
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