Matt Canavan wins Nats leadership race
- On March 11, 2026, Senator Matt Canavan was elected Nationals leader and Darren Chester was voted deputy in the Nationals party room meeting.
- After David Littleproud's Tuesday resignation, the party moved quickly to hold a next-morning Nationals party room vote, framed as a pivot to blunt regional losses to One Nation and reposition on migration and energy.
- Going into the vote, the contest was tight; only Kevin Hogan was informed early, and the Nationals party room does not disclose tallies.
- Following the vote, the party's whip Michelle Landry said the Nationals party needs strong leadership and has two years to improve polling after David Littleproud's departure.
- Canavan has a history opposing net zero and plans a lower-house bid for Capricornia if Michelle Landry retires; he is a father of five from Queensland.
36 Articles
36 Articles
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 fo…
Matt Canavan elected new federal National Party leader | Midday News Bulletin 11 March 2026
Matt Canavan elected new leader of the National Party... two more members of Iranian women's football team request asylum in Australia... and Liverpool loses to Galatasaray in the Champions League
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