Matt Canavan invokes Joh Bjelke-Petersen legacy to rebuild Nationals
National Party leader Matt Canavan will headline a 'Friends of Joh' event in Queensland. He is positioning the Nationals as the true country party.
Matt Canavan is the leader of the National Party. He will speak at a 'Friends of Joh' event in Kingaroy on November 21.
This honours the era of Joh Bjelke-Petersen as Queensland premier. Canavan described Bjelke-Petersen as responsible for lower taxes and economic growth.
He called him a legend. Political scientists say Canavan is using the legacy to reposition the Nationals.
He wants them to be seen as the party of rural Australia. He faces Pauline Hanson's One Nation in the Capricornia seat.
Bjelke-Petersen led Queensland from 1968 to 1987. His time in office ended in scandal.
A corruption inquiry jailed police commissioner Terry Lewis for 14 years. Four state ministers were also jailed.
Bjelke-Petersen narrowly avoided the same fate. He was charged with perjury.
To supporters, he remains 'the last great developer' of the state.
- November 21
- Event date
- Kingaroy
- Event location
- 1968 to 1987
- Premier tenure
- Terry Lewis, 14 years
- Police commissioner jailed
Why it mattersCanavan's appeal to Bjelke-Petersen signals the Nationals' strategy. They want to reclaim rural voters from One Nation. This comes ahead of the federal election.
AustraliaQueensland political rivalry between the Nationals and One Nation will intensify around rural identity and economic development narratives.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
