David Littleproud criticises Matt Canavan Net Zero comments, pledges to fight for Maranoa funding
Maranoa MP and deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud has attacked his colleague Matt Canavan over the Senator’s campaign against Net Zero following saturday’s election.
South Burnett
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As the dust settles on the 2022 federal election, the aftermath for the Liberals and Nationals is only just beginning.
Maranoa MP David Littleproud has been returned with an increased margin for a third term, but did suffer a 1.5 per cent swing against him on first preferences.
The Agriculture Minister and deputy Nationals leader said he was humbled by the support from his electorate, but said the next few years would be tough for the region now its MP was in opposition.
“Obviously the national results means that is going to be more difficult to achieve (funding outcomes) in the future because I’m not sitting at a table that designs the programs or cuts the cheque out into the regions,” he said.
“That’s going to make it more challenging for us in Maranoa.”
While admitting he was worried the region would suffer from a lock of future funding, he pledged to work “constructively” with the new government, saying he respected new PM Anthony Albanese and the two had good friendship.
Long seen as a future Nationals leader, Mr Littleproud wouldn’t be drawn on whether it was time for Barnaby Joyce to step down, with Liberal insiders declaring his leadership had cost the Coalition votes, or if he would consider a leadership run himself.
“What happens in the National Party is that after every election (the leadership roles) are spilt, but we have those discussions internally we don’t publicly propagate them,” he said.
Its believed both Darren Chester and former leader Michael McCormack are considering challenging for the role, with The Australian reporting Mr Littleproud was also considering a tilt.
The Maranoa MP said he wouldn’t “commentate” on claims Barnaby Joyce was a drain on coalition support, but did issuing a stinging criticism of his Nationals colleague and senator Matt Canavan over the senator’s campaign against Net Zero.
“What did hurt was Matt Canavan’s comments around Net Zero being dead,” he said.
“It wasn’t just Liberal seats, I can tell you it was National Party seats that also went back … like Cowper where we had a 10 per cent swing (against us), we nearly lost Nichols.
“While we respect in our party room, you can have a divergent view, prosecuting them in the middle of election campaign is not is not smart.”
He also rubbished the calls from Senator Canavan and other conservative coalition voices for the parties to move further to the right, with Littleproud declaring the coalition shouldn’t “panic”.
“History shows that you don't win elections by chasing extremities,” he said.
“What Australians want is a sensible centre. That’s where you win elections.”
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