MP’s resignation paves way for potential One Nation and Coalition contest

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry’s resignation on Friday has paved the way for a crucial One Nation and Coalition contest.

Landry has held the central Queensland seat since 2013 but has announced that she will step aside at the 2028 election.

She fronted media alongside Nationals Leader Matt Canavan at 12.30pm.

Her resignation would allow Canavan to resign from the Senate to try his hand at the House of Representatives in the seat – an idea he has been flirting with for some time.

He, however, may face an uphill battle with Pauline Hanson, who is believed to be considering a similar move to the lower house.

Hanson also opened up a One Nation branch at Capricornia, only adding fuel to the speculation.

Nationals Deputy Leader Darren Chester has all confirmed that Landry will resign.

“I think we all know what Michelle will be announcing at that press conference and I want to give her the opportunity to make that announcement herself,” he told the ABC on Friday.

Chester said praised Landry as a “local champion” who was repeatedly won the seat in “very difficult political territory” and “a lot of fluctuating political fortunes”.

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One Nation’s popularity is threatening to wipe out the Nationals at the election, with Capricornia shaping out to be a key battleground that would confirm the apparent shift in Australian politics.

Capricornia captures a little more than 90,000 square kilometres of the central Queensland mining and agricultural district stretching from Rockhampton to Yeppoon.

The seat has been held by Labor for most of its history and only left the fold twice for single elections in 1966 and 1996.

Landry became the third to win it in 2013, but defied past trends by maintaining the seat since.