Mr Canavan defeated former deputy leader Kevin Hogan, in the ballot, as well as Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie.<\/p>\n
Nationals whip Michelle Landry announced the result shortly before 11am, after a 45-minute meeting.<\/p>\n
In a press conference from the Nationals partyroom after his election, Mr Canavan promised to “fight for our nation”.<\/p>\n
“I stood for this role because I think we are losing our country. People are losing their standard of living,” Mr Canavan said.<\/p>\n
“We’re losing our relaxed and larrikin nature. And we have to fight back for Australians.”<\/p>\n
Asked about the Coalition bleeding votes to One Nation, the Nationals leader said Ms Hanson had not delivered tangible results for her voters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Pauline has been in politics for more than double the time I’ve been and I struggle to point to a single dam, single road, single hospital that Pauline has delivered,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I can point to swathes of those things with the work I’ve done with Michelle Landry, Colin Boyce and others in central Queensland. That is ultimately what we’re here for.”<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Before the vote, both Mr Canavan and Mr Hogan were understood to be claiming majority support, according to sources.<\/p>\n
Mr Canavan confirmed he would put himself forward for the leadership ahead of the ballot, saying he believed the party needed a strong focus on cost of living and energy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will put my case to my Nationals colleagues in the coming days and will respect whatever decision they make,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Mr Canavan had previously run for the leadership following the 2025 federal election but lost the partyroom vote to Mr Littleproud.<\/p>\n
Mr Littleproud said stepping aside had been a difficult decision but insisted it was the right one for the party.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m burnt out. I’m buggered. One of the biggest responsibilities as a leader is to be honest with yourself,\u201d Mr Littleproud told Sky News on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
He declined to reveal who he intended to support ahead of the ballot, saying he had barely looked at his phone since resigning.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, we’ll have that conversation in the party room, but from what I’ve seen this morning, there’s plenty putting their hand up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The leadership vote comes after a turbulent period for the Coalition, which has endured two splits and the recent ousting of former opposition leader Sussan Ley.<\/p>\n