Nationals leader set to attempt switch to lower house

Nationals MP Michelle Landry is expected to announce on Friday that she will retire from federal politics at the next election. Ms Landry's announcement paves the way for Nationals leader Matt Canavan to move to the lower house. What's next? Senator Canavan is expected to nominate for preselection to run as the Nationals candidate in Capricornia. Federal Nationals MP Michelle Landry is set to announce her intention to retire from politics on Friday, paving the way for her leader Matt Canavan to switch to the lower house at the next election. Ms Landry, the Nationals' chief whip, has held the Queensland seat of Capricornia since 2013. But according to several LNP sources, she has decided to step aside at the next election, which is due in 2028. Her office said she would make a "significant announcement" on Friday, alongside Senator Canavan. The Nationals leader holds the number two spot on the LNP senate ticket, behind Liberal James McGrath, but is expected to nominate as the LNP candidate for Capricornia after Ms Landry's statement. When asked recently if he had any interest in running for the seat, Senator Canavan, who lives in Yeppoon, said he would "do whatever it takes", as the Nationals faced the prospect of a wipe-out from One Nation. The minor party, which is surging in the polls, announced it would open a branch in Yeppoon late last year to "help shape the future of One Nation in the region", according to its website. "We've got a great local member there in Capricornia, Michelle Landry. I'd love to see her continue. I'd love to see all, of, my members continue," he told News24 earlier this month. "But if I'm required, if it is required to hold one more seat in the lower house somewhere, I will do it. "This could be my last election. I'm not going to die wondering, I'm just going to leave it all on the field now." Some LNP members in Capricornia have told the ABC they are ready for a change. Senator Canavan took over the Nationals leadership in March and in recent months has become a lead campaigner for rowing to be held in Rockhampton, in Capricornia, in the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic games. There is a view within the Nationals that their leader should be in the lower house with the other major party leaders. LNP sources have told the ABC that ahead of Friday's announcement, there had been a lot of internal discussion about who could replace Senator Canavan on the party's senate ticket. Support for One Nation has skyrocketed since the 2025 election, with the minor party winning seats in South Australia, Western Australia and its first ever lower house seat in federal parliament. According to the latest Newspoll, One Nation's primary vote is sitting at 28 per cent, just below Labor on 29 per cent, and well above the Coalition which is languishing on 20 per cent. Senator Canavan's office has been contacted for comment.