Politics With Michelle Grattan: Matt Canavan On Why One Nation Is 'Not Really Compatible' As A Coalition Partner

(MENAFN- The Conversation)

With less than two years to go before the next federal election, Nationals leader Matt Canavan knows his time in Parliament could be running out, with polling showing his Senate seat representing Queensland may be under threat.

The economist got into politics during the first Rudd government, working as chief of staff to then-Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce, before being elected to the Senate himself in 2013.

Joyce is“still a mate” Canavan speaks to regularly today, even after Joyce's dramatic defection to Pauline Hanson's One Nation, which has been gaining voters from both the Coalition and Labor.

Canavan joined us on the podcast to discuss whether he'd consider working in a coalition with One Nation; how to better manage AI, data centres and social media; and if he'd consider shifting to a lower house seat ahead of the next election.

Why One Nation is 'not really compatible' with the Coalition

Canavan said that when he speaks to voters around Australia,“there's a level of engagement that I've never seen” – but that many feel frustrated with politics as usual.

Despite more voters shifting away from the Coalition to One Nation, Canavan said he couldn't see how the party could be part of a future three-way coalition because“[Hanson] is judge, jury and executioner. If you get off on her bad side, she'll kick you out tomorrow.”

On standing up for AI copyright protections

This week, Canavan accused US technology company OpenAI of blackmail, after reports it may pull back investment if the federal government didn't water down Australian copyright protections.

On powering data centres

Canavan said he's“not comfortable at this stage” with how well data centres are being regulated in Australia,“principally because it's not clear that we have the energy” to supply them.

Read more: Data centres have existed for decades. So why are they so controversial now?

On his future in Parliament

Polling suggests that Canavan's place as a Queensland s could be at risk, given the sharp drop in Coalition support since the 2025 election. Asked if he'll consider a move to the lower house, he said“I'll consider it” once it's clear if any seats need filling.

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