Canavan Bids for Nationals' Capricornia Seat
Nationals leader Matt Canavan has announced he will seek the lower house seat of Capricornia, vacated by retiring MP Michelle Landry.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Elections
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Nationals leader Matt Canavan has announced his candidacy for the Capricornia lower house seat in Queensland, which Michelle Landry is retiring from. Canavan made the announcement in an interview with the Courier Mail.
Why it matters
Canavan said the Nationals need to hold the seat to change the government. The move also comes as One Nation is expected to contest Capricornia and has opened a branch in Yeppoon.
The National Party has not lost a seat since the 2007 election, a record Canavan's bid aims to maintain in Capricornia. It is not yet confirmed whether One Nation will field James Ashby against him.
The players
Matt Canavan
Matt Canavan is the leader of the Nationals and a senator for Queensland who lives in Yeppoon.
Michelle Landry
Michelle Landry is the outgoing Nationals member for Capricornia who announced her retirement in Rockhampton.
One Nation
One Nation is Pauline Hanson's party, which has opened a branch in Yeppoon and is expected to contest Capricornia.
The details
Canavan, who holds second place on the Coalition's Queensland Senate ticket behind Liberal James McGrath, lives in Yeppoon. Landry announced her retirement in Rockhampton in late October alongside Canavan, who became Nationals leader in March after David Littleproud stepped down.
Timeline
2007: The National Party last lost a seat at a federal election.
March: Canavan became Nationals leader after Littleproud stepped down.
Late October: Landry announced her retirement in Rockhampton.
Late last year: One Nation announced it would open a branch in Yeppoon.
2028: Senate election where Canavan's own seat is at risk if One Nation performs strongly.
Political Context
The National Party has not lost a seat since the 2007 election, and Canavan's bid for Capricornia tests whether that record can hold. Canavan also risks losing his Senate seat if One Nation performs strongly at the 2028 election.
A Capricornia contest could determine whether the Nationals keep a seat that shapes their parliamentary numbers, which affects how federal policy is negotiated. Voters in Capricornia will face a candidate field that may include both the Nationals and One Nation.
The takeaway
Watch whether One Nation fields a candidate in Capricornia, as that choice will shape how competitive the seat becomes. The result will also signal whether the Nationals can keep their record of holding every seat they have contested since 2007.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by The West Australian.
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