Nationals leader running for lower house seat in possible showdown with One Nation

The Nationals leader, Matt Canavan, will run in a lower house Queensland seat at the next federal election, in a move that may see him face off with Pauline Hanson’s former chief of staff James Ashby.

James Ashby, One Nation’s party director and close political ally to Pauline Hanson is also publicly considering putting his hat in the ring. The announcement follows the retirement of the Capricornia MP Michelle Landry, and could result in a contest against Ashby in a major battle for regional seats.

“The issue is we need to keep this seat to change the government, and I want us to continue to deliver for central Queensland,” Canavan said on Monday, remarking that he may very well die politically but not going to die wondering.

Senator Canavan, who lives in Yeppon in the electorate, became leader of the Nationals in March this year, replacing David Littleproud, who stepped down. A successful move from the Senate to the lower house would shore up the likelihood of Senator Canavan becoming deputy prime minister in a Coalition government, and assure those in the Nationals who hold the view that their leader should sit in the House of Representatives with the other major party leaders.

The Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said One Nation should not be fighting to win Coalition-held seats if the party was serious about taking on Labor.