Former Nationals leader to be dropped from shadow cabinet
Updated ,first published
New National leader Matt Canavan, a supporter of state support for domestic production and energy, took over the Coalition’s trade portfolio and demoted his predecessor David Littleproud, challenging the Coalition’s traditional free-market position.
A week after taking the leadership of the National Party, Canavan brought former leader Michael McCormack out of exile with a cadre of shadow ministers whom Canavan described as a “caucus of patriots”.
Littleproud said last week he had been “duped” after the Coalition split for the second time in nine months. Multiple Nationals sources familiar with Canavan’s thinking said the new leader felt it would not be acceptable to keep Littleproud in a senior job because he had declared he had lost his energy.
Littleproud said last week he wanted to remain in the front row but would instead serve as spokesman for emergency services and tourism, a more junior position in the foreign ministry.
McCormack led the national championship under the Morrison government but Littleproud moved him to the bench alongside Barnaby Joyce last term. Littleproud said at the time that the former leadership pair were demoted to create generational change.
In response, Canavan spoke of McCormack’s experience and described the new squad as a “band of patriots”, echoing Australia’s initial rhetoric in his first press conference as leader last week.
“The Nationals love Australia and we Australians want more of everything,” Canavan said on Monday.
“To level up Australia, we need to expand Australia into more of our territories. More Australian agriculture, more Australian mining and more Australian manufacturing will equal more Australian jobs and higher Australian wages.”
Canavan will take over the trading and investment portfolio previously held by leading rival Kevin Hogan.
The Queensland senator has supported free trade agreements, including the China-Australia deal. It also called for the protection of Australian industries, including the steelmaking sector, from Chinese competition, including through safeguards by the Australian anti-dumping commission. Canavan supports government support for coal and gas projects.
Hogan will move to the secretary of state to serve as shadow deputy treasurer. Another former shadow cabinet member, Ross Cadell, was dismissed outright.
New MP Darren Chester will take up Littleproud’s old role as agriculture spokesman.
Nationals MP Pat Conaghan, who holds the shadow deputy treasurer position, blocked Canavan from announcing his new frontbencher by issuing a statement saying he was disappointed Canavan had benched him.
“In politics, a change in party leadership implies a change in ministerial teams, and last week’s events triggered this for the National Party,” he said in a statement, adding that he understood the call.
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Paul Sakkal is the chief political correspondent. It has previously covered Victorian politics and won the Walkley and Quill awards. Reach him securely on Signal @paulsakkal.14Connect with: X or email.
