Story perspectives

Michelle Landry Retires, Opening Capricornia Seat for 2028

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 10:21 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

National Party MP Michelle Landry announced her retirement from Capricornia, opening the seat for Matt Canavan in 2028.
Landry warned that One Nation’s surge could threaten the seat and criticised its divisive tactics.
Landry highlighted delivering over $6 billion in regional projects, such as a hospital car park and water-infrastructure upgrades.
A Guardian Essential poll showed One Nation at 25% primary vote, Labor 29% and the Coalition 22%.

History

Historical Context

In the 1996 Australian federal election, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation entered Parliament, capturing 11% of the Senate vote and two seats. Prime Minister John Howard’s Liberal–National Coalition secured 45% of the House vote, while the Labor Party fell to 38%, reshaping the political landscape. Today, National MP Michelle Landry’s retirement in Capricornia and One Nation’s 25% primary-vote surge echo Hanson’s breakthrough, threatening Coalition dominance in regional seats. The pattern suggests that emergent populist forces can redraw electoral maps, prompting established parties to reallocate resources and policy focus toward regional infrastructure.

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Story summary

National Party MP Michelle Landry announced her retirement from Capricornia, opening the seat for Matt Canavan in 2028.
Landry warned that One Nation’s surge could threaten the seat and criticised its divisive tactics.
Landry highlighted delivering over $6 billion in regional projects, such as a hospital car park and water-infrastructure upgrades.
A Guardian Essential poll showed One Nation at 25% primary vote, Labor 29% and the Coalition 22%.

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