Capricornia MP Michelle Landry Announces Retirement

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry has announced her retirement from federal politics, paving the way for Nationals leader Matt Canavan to potentially move from the Senate to the House of Representatives. Ms Landry, who has represented the electorate since 2013, revealed her decision on Friday afternoon.

"At some stage you've got to take care of yourself and I thought, 'Now's the time to do it,'" she said. "I'm the first conservative to hold this seat more than once … it's been a seat that we've worked hard and fought hard for."

Ms Landry won the former Labor stronghold with a 4.5 per cent swing to the LNP and held multiple assistant minister roles under Scott Morrison. The 90,000-square-kilometre seat encompasses Rockhampton, the Capricorn Coast, areas near Mackay and portions of mining hubs in the Bowen Basin.

Entering politics after a "nasty marriage break-up", the five-term MP said she was proud of her achievements, which included securing funding for the Rookwood Weir and the Rockhampton Hospital car park. "I stand by my record of over six billion dollars in … projects for the region," Ms Landry said.

Ms Landry cited one of her career highlights as helping fund a new hall for the Country Women's Association in Collinsville. "To see those ladies so proud when they opened it — the hugs, the kisses, the whole community was there," she said.

Senator Canavan praised Ms Landry as a strong advocate for the region under multiple governments. "Michelle gets into more fights than Mike Tyson down there in Canberra, she's just always fighting for things," he said. "Like a good title fighter, she's never been knocked out. She's been the glue that's held our party together."

Senator Canavan would not confirm whether he would seek nomination as the LNP candidate for Capricornia in 2028, stating only that "at some point in the future the LNP will have to preselect a candidate for Capricornia" and that announcements would be made "in due course".

Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams thanked Ms Landry for her contributions to the city, highlighting her commitment to the community and putting the region "front and centre on everything she's done".

Capricornia Chamber of Commerce president Jason Foss said Ms Landry would leave "big shoes to fill", praising her connection to the local business and small business industry. Rockhampton veteran Bradey Livermore praised Ms Landry for being "proactive" in listening to the concerns of former service people.