Political lifeline­ for Matt Canavan, a rising star of the Nationals

The High Court decision to uphold the validity of the election of Matt Canavan throws a lifeline to a rising star.

Malcolm Turnbull congratulates Matt Canavan after he was sworn in as a minister at Government House yesterday. Picture: AAP

The High Court decision to uphold the validity of the election of Liberal National Party senator Matt Canavan throws a lifeline to a Nationals rising star and strengthens Queensland representation at the cabinet table.

Senator Canavan yesterday resumed his former position, sworn in as Resources and Northern Australia Minister. He stepped down in July when he discovered he was potentially in breach of section 44 of the Constitution.

The court decision means a strong advocate for coal-fired power is returned to the government’s front ranks, with Senator Canavan having signalled his support for a new coal-fired generator in his state.

He was also the lead government figure, lending support as Resources Minister, to Indian conglomerate Adani’s multibillion-dollar coalmine in Queensland’s Galilee basin.

Senator Canavan will again be subject to the rules of cabinet solidarity, after he used his time on the backbench to speak out on a range of issues. He was one of the few MPs to question the government’s revamped energy policy in the joint partyroom and has been an outspoken defender of traditional marriage.

Yesterday he said he was “gutted” for his colleagues Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash, but was looking forward to “getting stuck back in to delivering long-term results for all Queenslanders”.

“I know that both Barnaby and Fiona will bounce back and they have enviable records as members of parliament,” he said. “I have not lost my passion to develop central Queensland and northern Australia, and support the jobs and wealth that we derive from the hardworking people of our resources sector.

“If anything, this experience has only strengthened my resolve to fight for those things that will make people’s lives better, like a secure job, a loving family and a safe Australia.’’

Before entering parliament in 2014, Senator Canavan worked as an economist at the Productivity Commission and was an adviser to Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce.

He is seen as one of the Nationals’ brightest prospects in Queensland and his return to cabinet will ease pressure on Malcolm Turnbull over the level of senior representation in the government from that state.