Nationals leadership battle erupts as Matt Canavan challenges David Littleproud

The Nationals will vote on their next leader today as Queensland Senator Matt Canavan challenges David Littleproud — while the Liberal Party has had a new contender enter the race to replace Peter Dutton.

The Nationals will hold a decisive party room meeting in Canberra today to elect a new leadership team, as Senator Matt Canavan challenges David Littleproud in the wake of the Coalition’s historic election defeat.

The leadership vote comes amid wider upheaval for the Liberal-National Coalition, as a new candidate reportedly emerges to challenge Angus Taylor for the Liberal Party’s top job following Peter Dutton’s resignation.

Tim Wilson, the Liberal MP and marriage equality advocate who reclaimed his Melbourne seat of Goldstein from a Teal independent, is considering a surprise bid for the party’s leadership.

He says he’s “open” to challenging Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley, and will decide on Monday, declaring he returned to parliament to pursue a bold, ambitious Liberal vision — not to “sit around.”

It comes as the Coalition is now under mounting pressure to reinvent itself after suffering its worst electoral result since World War II.

Senator Matt Canavan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In an interview with 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Monday morning, Canavan pushed his case for the role.

“We’re in unconventional times — the Liberal National Coalition has suffered the worst defeat since World War II,” he said.

“And so I think it is a time where we perhaps look to unconventional responses to get ourselves back in the game.”

When asked who should lead the Liberal-arm of the Coalition unity, Canavan was candid in his assessment, saying “I don’t care”.

“For them, its total matter for them, I’m pretty much focused on one thing today.”

Canavan, a Queensland senator, said he had no regrets about putting his hand up to contest the leadership.

“I’m glad I did, because I think our party deserves a choice. I think the people deserve a choice,” he told Fordham.

“I have been an agent of change for the last few years. I’ve stood against the net zero craziness. I’m standing on a platform to get rid of that as our policy of the National Party so we can take up some of the fight for the Australian people.”

While Canavan declined to reveal whether he had the backing of former leader Barnaby Joyce, he made it clear he believed the Nationals needed a new strategy to reconnect with voters.

“Look, we didn’t win,” he said.

“And ultimately, this job … is a performance-based job. I think we do need a different strategy.”

Liberals candidate Tim Wilson. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Canavan also used the interview to criticise Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s defection from the Nationals to the Liberal Party, saying it was poorly handled and unfair to voters in the Northern Territory.

Canavan also criticised Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“She was only elected just over a week ago on a platform that she would sit in the National Party room,” he said.

“She effectively told us after the decision had been made … I will call it out, but I won’t hold a grudge.”

The Nationals leadership result is expected later on Monday.

Do you know more? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]

Originally published as Nationals leadership battle erupts as Matt Canavan challenges David Littleproud