Nationals leader Matt Canavan to seek preselection for Capricornia as One Nation's James Ashby and Pauline Hanson rule out running

Nationals leader Matt Canavan says he will seek preselection for the central Queensland seat of Capricornia at the next federal election, a move from the Senate to the House of Representatives. This report draws on ABC News, The Guardian, nine.com.au and AAP. ## The announcement Canavan, a Queensland senator who lives in Yeppoon, announced his nomination on Monday 2 November alongside the retiring Capricornia MP, Michelle Landry, ABC News reports. He stressed that he was nominating for LNP preselection and was not yet the candidate; the LNP holds the seat by 5.8%, ABC News reports. If he is chosen, he will have to resign from the Senate, AAP reports. "Someone's got to step up, and I'm the next person up here in central Queensland, so I'll put it on the line," he said, according to AAP. "Who knows, I might not be successful, my political career may die, but I'm not going to die wondering." He told ABC News he wanted "to be on the front lines with my troops as well", adding: "I just have to be there in the trenches with them." ## One Nation rules out a run One Nation's national director, James Ashby, ruled out contesting the seat. "I'll play a role in the campaign here in Capricornia, but my position as national director is one that I take serious; therefore I won't be nominating at pre-selection," he said, ABC News reports. He said Capricornia was "a seat One Nation can win" and that the party would run a strong campaign. Pauline Hanson also said she would not run there, ABC News reports. ## Reaction Opposition Leader Angus Taylor backed the bid. "He's a valued colleague and I'd love to see him in the lower house," he said, ABC News reports. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said that "in this current political environment there is always a risk running for lower house seats", ABC News reports. YouGov pollster Paul Smith was sceptical. "He has virtually no chance in the Senate and only an outside chance in Capricornia," he said, adding that on current polling One Nation would easily win the seat. The next federal election is due by May 2028, AAP reports.