Nationals senator Matt Canavan has been elected the new leader of the party. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPView image in fullscreenNationals senator Matt Canavan has been elected the new leader of the party. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPMatt Canavan elected new leader of National party The Queensland senator replaces David Littleproud, who announced his shock resignation from the Nationals on Tuesday
Matt Canavan is the new Nationals leader after winning a party room vote triggered by David Littleproud’s shock resignation.
The Queensland right-winger defeated Kevin Hogan and Bridget McKenzie in a three-cornered contest to replace Littleproud, who blindsided colleagues on Tuesday by announcing he was stepping down as leader.
Read moreDarren Chester was elected deputy leader, replacing Hogan.
The new leadership pairing will be tasked with helping to rebuild the Coalition’s dire position in the polls and fending off One Nation’s attempt to gain a foothold in regional Australia.
The first test will come at the 9 March Farrer by-election, which was trigged by former leader Sussan Ley’s retirement from parliament.
Elected in 2013 after serving as the chief-of-staff to Barnaby Joyce, Canavan has emerged as the country party’s most hardline and influential right-wing voice.
He led the campaign to dump net zero by 2050, has advocated for building new coal-fired power stations and opposed Covid-19 vaccine mandates.
