Matt Canavan Secures Nationals Leadership After Littleproud’s Exit

Senator Matt Canavan has been elected leader of the National Party, replacing David Littleproud, who stepped down unexpectedly a day earlier.

Nationals MP for Gippsland, Darren Chester, was chosen as deputy leader following a party room vote on March 11.

Nationals chief whip Michelle Landry announced the result, but did not disclose the vote tally.

“I think it’s important we’ve got strong leadership in our party and we thank David Littleproud for the amazing job that he’s done,” she said.

“A mighty battle coming up ahead of us, we’ve got two years to get ourselves up in the polls.”

The leadership ballot followed Littleproud’s sudden resignation, which triggered a contest among several senior Nationals figures.

Littleproud announced his departure on March 10, telling reporters he was exhausted after leading the party through a turbulent period in federal politics.

He said he was “buggered” and no longer had the energy to continue in the role.

However, the Queensland MP will remain in parliament as the member for Maranoa and has indicated he is willing to continue serving on the Coalition frontbench.

Canavan Thanks Littleproud for His Leadership

Following his victory, Canavan expressed his gratitude to Littleproud for his leadership and service.

“It’s been a tough time, and I know more than anyone else how tough it can be in this game. But David has left everything out on the paddock,” he told reporters.

Canavan also thanked Chester and confirmed that Senator Bridget McKenzie would remain the Nationals’ leader in the Senate.

The new leader said he stood for this role because he thought Australia was no longer what it used to be: “People are losing their standard living. They’re losing their confidence.”

In addition, Canavan outlined his vision for the party and the country, emphasising a focus on strengthening Australian industries and communities.

“We need to have more Australian everything … We need more Australian babies. We need Quinn heat. We need more Australian humour, more Australian jokes. We need more Australian barbecues, sometimes often fuelled by fossil fuels. We need more Australian everything. We don’t need to look overseas for our solutions,” he said.

The Contest of Three Candidates

After Littleproud stepped aside, the Nationals’ leadership position was contested by three candidates: deputy leader Kevin Hogan, McKenzie and Canavan.

Canavan was the first to publicly confirm he would seek the leadership.

The senator said he believed he had made a strong case to colleagues during the internal discussions.

“I’ve worked hard for the party,” he said.

“I think I have delivered results in the past, particularly when I was minister, I helped deliver the net zero policy.”

McKenzie confirmed her bid on social media on March 11 morning.

“Today I am seeking to lead The National Party. We face enormous challenges as a country and the Nationals have a critical role in protecting and growing our nation,” she wrote social media.

Hogan also entered the leadership race with the support of some Nationals members.

“After being approached by a number of my colleagues, I have formally put my hand up for the leadership position,” he said on March 10.

Nationals Party Under Pressure

Littleproud’s resignation and the leadership contest come at a difficult time for the Nationals.

Recent polling has shown Pauline Hanson’s One Nation gaining ground in some regional areas, raising concerns within the party about its support base.

Several seats in regional Queensland and New South Wales are seen as increasingly competitive ahead of the next federal election.

The party also failed to reclaim the seat of Calare at the 2025 election, where independent Andrew Gee retained the electorate after leaving the Nationals over the party’s stance on The Voice referendum.

With a new leader and deputy now in place, the Nationals face the task of rebuilding their position in regional Australia while preparing for the next federal election.

One Nation’s Response

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was quick to respond to Canavan’s leadership election and his comment describing One Nation as a “divisive party.”

She took to the social media platform X, saying the new leader had joined the “woke pile” by choosing to attack One Nation instead of opening the door to working together in Australia’s interests.

“Canavan joins the likes of the ABC, the Guardian and left-wing fact checkers who have started a war against One Nation to try and tear us down,” she said.

“Canavan has found himself in strange company against One Nation, the only party truly dedicated to leading the agenda on ending net-zero, cutting immigration and putting Australians first.”