March 11, 2026
Queensland Senator Matt Canavan was elected leader of The Nationals in a Party Room meeting on Wednesday morning, held less than a day after David Littleproud’s shock announcement that he was quitting the role.
Party members met in Canberra for the vote.
Mr Littleproud’s former deputy, NSW MP Kevin Hogan, and Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie also indicated before the meeting they would be putting up their hands for the top job.
The margins of the vote are not known.
Victorian MP – and former journalist – Darren Chester was elected Deputy Leader.
Senator Canavan unsuccessfully challenged Mr Littleproud for the leadership of the party in May last year.
Ahead of that vote, the South Burnett’s two other Federal representatives, Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien and Member for Flynn Colin Boyce, voiced their support for Senator Canavan ahead of Mr Littleproud, the Member for Maranoa.
Mr Littleproud said on Tuesday that although he was resigning from the leadership position, he would continue to represent Maranoa as its local MP.
Prior to being elected in 2013, Matt Canavan worked as Chief of Staff to then-National Party Senator Barnaby Joyce.
Mr Joyce, who later was elected to the House Of Representatives, switched allegiance to One Nation last December.
Senator Canavan has been a strong campaigner in opposition to “net zero” policies and has been prominent in various “Reckless Renewables” rallies.
- Related article: Littleproud Quits As Nats Leader
