Nationals leader Matt Canavan will run for the lower house Queensland seat of Capricornia at the next federal election, a move that may see him face off with Pauline Hanson’s chief of staff. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
The announcement follows the retirement of the Capricornia MP Michelle Landry and could result in a contest against James Ashby in a major battle for regional seats.
“The issue is we need to keep this seat to change the government, and I want us to continue to deliver for central Queensland,” Canavan told the Courier-Mail on Monday.
“I don’t think you’ll be surprised by this announcement but I’m not going to die wondering. I may very well die politically, but I’m not going to die wondering. I’ll give it my all.”
Landry, based in Rockhampton, announced her decision last month to retire from politics and not to recontest her seat at the next election.
The Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said One Nation should not be fighting to win Coalition-held seats if the party was serious about taking on Labor.
“If One Nation is really serious about firing the liar, then they need to start running in Labor party seats instead of running against someone like Matt Canavan,” she told Nine’s Today show.
“[I’m] not afraid of a fight – I want to save our country, and that means changing the prime minister, and that means taking Labor party seats.”
Canavan’s decision could reshape the political landscape in regional electorates, especially given One Nation’s ambitions for regional seats. Rumours about Ashby’s potential candidacy are drawing national attention to the race.
Landry’s retirement left a key seat open for the Coalition, and Canavan’s candidacy reflects the Nationals’ determination to hold it. For voters in central Queensland, the election could become a referendum on the direction of the federal government.
Political analysts view Canavan’s move to the lower house as a strategic step, as he may give up his Senate seat as Nationals leader to increase his influence in the lower house. However, if he loses, it could be a severe blow to his political career.
One Nation representatives have not yet made an official statement about Ashby’s candidacy. The party’s strategy for regional seats is expected to become clearer in the coming months.
For the Nationals, the election will test the Coalition’s internal unity and its support among regional voters. Canavan’s words “I’m not going to die wondering” indicate he sees this election as decisive for his political legacy.
During the campaign, Labor will also seek to win the seat as it aims for re-election. Thus, Capricornia could become a three-way contest.
For local voters, the election is likely to be a decision about the parties’ national policies rather than the candidates’ personalities. According to Canavan, he will continue to defend the interests of central Queensland.
The news reflects growing tension in federal politics, especially as competition between One Nation and the Coalition intensifies. The upcoming campaign will show how heated this competition will be.