Matt Canavan Seeks Lower House Seat in Queensland Electoral Battle

The Nationals leader Matt Canavan announced he will seek preselection for the lower house seat of Capricornia at the next federal election, risking his political future to contest the regional Queensland electorate.

The seat is being vacated by the retiring LNP member Michelle Landry, who held the Central Queensland electorate across five elections.

The move by a major party leader from the Senate to the House of Representatives aims to stave off a surging One Nation challenge.

“I may politically die in this endeavour, but I am not going to die wondering,” said Matt Canavan, the leader of the Nationals.

At the last election in 2025, Landry recorded a primary vote of 36.56 percent while Labor secured 31.9 percent and One Nation achieved 15.5 percent.

Party strategists expressed concern over maintaining the stronghold without Landry, prompting the push for a high-profile candidate to secure the electorate.

One Nation party director James Ashby initially considered contesting the seat but publicly withdrew from the race.

“My position as national director is one that I take seriously; therefore I won’t be nominating at pre-selection,” said James Ashby, the One Nation party director.

Ashby said the minor party would still throw significant resources at the campaign to seize the regional seat from the Coalition.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor backed the move by his Senate colleague to switch chambers.

“He's a valued colleague and I'd love to see him in the lower house,” said Angus Taylor, the Opposition Leader.

The Guardian reported that Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie criticized One Nation for running against Coalition figures instead of targeting Labor seats.

Canavan stated that Australia's target for net zero greenhouse gas emissions remains a major handbrake on regional industry.

Voters will decide whether the high-stakes gamble secures the electorate when the nation heads to the polls at the next federal election.