Canavan Confirms Run for Capricornia Seat

The Nationals leader will contest the lower house seat held by retiring MP Michelle Landry, giving up his Senate position.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Elections

Canavan Confirms Run for Capricornia Seat

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Nationals leader Matt Canavan has confirmed he will run for the lower house seat of Capricornia at the next federal election, giving up his Senate seat. The seat is currently held by Michelle Landry, who announced she will retire.

Why it matters

Canavan said the seat must be kept to change the government, and he stated he would move to the lower house if needed to hold one more lower house seat. One Nation director James Ashby has also flagged a possible run in the electorate.

Canavan confirmed the decision to the Courier-Mail, and his move means he gives up a Senate seat to contest the lower house contest. The Capricornia candidacy of One Nation's James Ashby remains undecided.

The players

Matt Canavan

Leader of the Nationals and a senator from Queensland who became party leader in March, now seeking a lower house seat.

Michelle Landry

Liberal National Party member and current MP for Capricornia who announced she will retire at the next federal election.

James Ashby

One Nation director who has flagged a possible run for the Capricornia seat.

The details

Canavan, who lives in Yeppoon and has his electorate office in Rockhampton, became Nationals leader in March. James Ashby told The Australian that One Nation supporters had encouraged him to run in the seat.

March: Canavan became leader of the Nationals.
October 2026: Michelle Landry announced she will retire at the next federal election.
October 2026: James Ashby told The Australian that One Nation supporters encouraged him to run.
Early October 2026: Canavan told News24 he would move to the lower house if required.
1 November 2026: Canavan confirmed he will run for Capricornia.

Political Context

Canavan's move from the Senate to the lower house follows a pattern in which senior figures switch chambers to defend key seats. The opposition from One Nation's possible candidacy adds pressure on the Nationals' vote in Central Queensland.

Voters in Capricornia will have a choice between a new Nationals candidate and any One Nation candidate at the next federal election. The outcome could shape how the region is represented in the House of Representatives.

The takeaway

Electoral choices in regional seats like Capricornia can shift the balance between parties, and readers should watch how the candidate field develops before the next federal election.