Matt Canavan is the new leader of the National Party.
It comes after David Littleproud announced his resignation on Tuesday afternoon, saying he was “buggered”.
On Wednesday morning, the Nationals chose Canavan over other candidates Bridget McKenzie and Kevin Hodges.
Who is Matt Canavan?
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Littleproud was Nationals leader from May 2022 until Tuesday, when he announced his resignation, saying: “I think someone better can do it because I don’t have the energy.”
The ABC reported NSW MP Kevin Hogan, and Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie put themselves forward for the role of leader, alongside Canavan.
Hogan served as Nationals Deputy Leader and McKenzie as Senate Leader for the party.
Canavan
Canavan has been a Queensland Senator since 2013. Before running for office, he worked as Barnaby Joyce’s chief of staff, while Joyce was a Nationals Senator.
Under the Turnbull and Morrison Governments, Canavan was Resources Minister. He did not have a position in the current Shadow Ministry.
Canavan lost a leadership challenge against Littleproud in May 2025.
He is the first Senator to lead the Party in the Nationals’ history.
Local production
Canavan wants more “Australian made” goods and services, particularly in the regions.
In 2021, he presented the Nationals’ plan to prioritise Australian-made goods in government contracts, and provide tax concessions for Australian manufacturers and producers.
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“We must take radical action to reverse the trend in fewer things being made in Australia,” he said at the time.
Canavan echoed this push in his first speech as Nationals leader on Wednesday, calling for more “Australian everything”.
Climate change
Canavan has repeatedly questionedclimate change’s existence, often in reference to the use of fossil fuels.
In May 2025, he told ABC Radio National that “there’s just not credible evidence that droughts or floods are getting worse” in Australia.
Canavan shared a photo of snow in regional NSW in June 2021 with the caption “climate change”.
He is strongly in favour of the use of coal for energy.
Family loan
In May 2025, Canavan spoke to TDA about his proposed policy to offer couples a low-interest loan of $100,000 once they have a child.
This loan would apply to families buying their first home, and woulddecrease by 30% after a second child, and be wiped altogether after a third. Canavan and his wife have five children.
He believes it would help reverse Australia’s declining birth rate and increase home ownership for younger people.
Other views
Canavan openly describes himself as “pro-life”.
In Parliament in 2022, he said “abortion is an evil” that “results in the death of a child and often ongoing mental harm for a parent.” Canavan introduced a bill to require doctors to provide care to infants “born alive as a result of a termination,” which did not pass.
In 2025, Canavan said he has a “strong record fighting on free speech matters”.
He did not support the under-16s social media ban, telling Sky News itwould “override the will of parents”.
