Canavan new leader of the Nationals

Queensland LNP Senator Matt Canavan has taken over the leadership of the Nationals after edging out the deputy leader for the party’s top job.

The former staffer to Barnaby Joyce edged out former deputy leader Kevin Hogan and Senate leader Bridget McKenzie in a partyroom ballot on Wednesday morning, following the shock resignation of David Littleproud.

Darren Chester was elected the new deputy leader.

Senator Canavan, one of the party’s more conservative members, was a key campaigner in the coalition’s decision to dump its net-zero emissions by 2050 target and is a major supporter of coal production, prioritising driving down energy prices over climate action.

His election provides insight into how the party room wants to handle the emerging threat of minor right-wing party One Nation, which has been siphoning coalition voters and is surging in the polls as the major conservative parties flail. 

The leader put forward a nationalistic pitch as he vowed to take the fight to Labor and One Nation.

Senator Canavan slapped down One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s divisive comments after she implied there were no good Muslims.

“I was very critical of Pauline’s comments, dividing Australians into groups, saying that, suggesting that are no good … I totally reject that,” he said. 

“We are all Australians, what unites us as a country is more than what divides us. 

“I worry about where Pauline would take this country, to an area of more division.”

Canavan differentiated his party from One Nation in his first press conference, emphasising that the Nationals are a grassroots party.

“That means a great deal to our many of thousands of members.”

“If you read their constitution, they are not [a grassroots party],” he said.

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey today welcomed Senator Matt Canavan as the new leader of The National Party and Darren Chester as the Deputy Leader.

“Senator Matt Canavan has already proven himself as a fighter for regional Australia – and that is exactly what the country needs,” Mr Chaffey said.

“I welcome his election as Leader of The National Party and look forward to working with him to champion better results for the people of the Parkes electorate. Senator Canavan has already joined me in Parkes as we listened to the stories of people who were being impacted by Labor’s stampede to Net Zero, and we outlined the clear fact there is a cheaper, better and fairer way to move forward on energy issues.

“I also welcome Darren Chester as Deputy Leader. His extensive experience in Parliament and his commitment and enthusiasm are great assets to our leadership team.

Mr Littleproud shocked colleagues as he announced he would step down from the regional party’s top job on Tuesday with little notice, declaring he was “buggered” and didn’t have the energy to continue as leader.

But the Queensland MP will continue representing his seat of Maranoa and has said he’s willing to remain on the coalition front bench.

Mr Littleproud said he was feeling like a “million dollars” after stepping down, telling reporters on Wednesday morning he’d had his best sleep in eight months.

Mr Chaffey said David Littleproud has been a strong leader for The National Party.

“Being a leader of any party requires dedication and an enormous amount of time, and David has fulfilled that role with commitment and dignity,” Chaffey said.

“I welcome the news that he will remain as the Member for Maranoa – the northern neighbour to the electorate of Parkes and I would like to thank David for his guiding role during my first 10 months as the Federal Member for Parkes.”