Former Nationals Resources Minister Matt Canavan mulls switch to Lower House
Former Nationals Resources Minister Matt Canavan is being urged by colleagues to stand in the by-election for Groom.
Former Nationals Resources Minister Matt Canavan is considering switching from the Senate to contest the Lower House seat of Groom in Queensland but is unlikely to make the shift.
Senator Canavan is being urged by colleagues to stand in the by-election for Groom, sparked by the resignation of LNP MP, John McVeigh, to boost the Nationals in the House of Representatives and increase his chances of returning to the Ministry.
“People are urging me to run and I am considering it,” Senator Canavan told The Australian on Wednesday.
“But I have to say I think it is unlikely I will make the move from the Senate to the House of Representatives”, he said.
“For a start it is considered a ‘Liberal’ seat and that would have to change for me to stand as a ‘National’,” he said.
In Queensland the Liberals and Nationals are combined as the Liberal-National Party but House of Representatives’ seats are deemed Liberal or National and the successful MP sits in the respective party room in Canberra and votes for the Liberal or National leadership.
Dr McVeigh, who resigned because of his wife’s ill-health, is deemed a Liberal and therefore Groom is regarded as open to Liberal candidates.
Senator Canavan, who resigned from Cabinet after he supported Barnaby Joyce’s failed bid for Nationals’ leadership, is also concerned about the effect on his young family of five children.
“I’m enjoying the time with my family which being on the backbench gives me and I enjoy representing Queensland in the Senate,” he said.
Senator Canavan would have to move his family from their northern Queensland home into the electorate of Groom.
Senator Canavan is seen as one of the brightest young stars of the Nationals’ and one of the strongest ministerial performers.
Senator Canavan has been a strong advocate of coal mining and outspoken as a backbencher defending resources and promoting the Nationals’ cause in Queensland.
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