March 16, 2026
Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor has today announced the appointment of The Nationals’ representatives to the Coalition Shadow Ministry.
Mr Taylor said the Coalition team would focus relentlessly on protecting Australians' way of life and restoring their standard of living.
“Australians have endured the biggest collapse in living standards in the developed world and the Coalition is determined to turn that around,” Mr Taylor said.
“I have appointed a strong and experienced team from The Nationals who understand the pressures facing families, farmers, small businesses and regional communities.
“We must unapologetically defend Australian values and ensure our country is once again one of opportunity and aspiration, of freedom and safety.”
Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan welcomed the appointments and said he was proud to lead a posse of patriots who will always put Australia first and would play a central role in the Coalition’s work to rebuild the economy and strengthen regional Australia.
"The Nationals love Australia and we want more Australian everything. To level up Australia, we need to expand Australia into more of our regions. More Australian farming, more Australian mining and more Australian manufacturing will equal more Australian jobs and higher Australian wages,” Senator Canavan said.
"The Nationals believe that a bigger regional Australia will make for a better Australia overall. If we provide more opportunities in our regions, people will move there from the cities, and that will free up houses and infrastructure for others.
"Plus, in the regions, families can afford a backyard big enough to play cricket in. More backyards will help protect the Australian way of life.”
The Nationals shadow ministerial team is probably the most experienced ever, with over 18 years of combined Ministerial experience. Matt Canavan, Darren Chester, Bridget McKenzie, Michael McCormack and David Littleproud have all served in Cabinet.
"I welcome back Michael McCormack to our Shadow ministerial line up as the Shadow Minister for Water and Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Michael knows the Murray Darling Basin having travelled the length and breadth of it in previous ministerial capacities and representing irrigation areas as a local member. Labor has ignored the benefits of dams and Michael will put them back on the agenda,” Senator Canavan said.
“Susan McDonald fights like hell to protect the jobs and opportunity in our mining industry and Northern Australia. Kevin Hogan will take on the Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Financial Services using his extensive experience in the finance sector to help develop sensible economic policies as part of the Coalition team.
"The Nationals understand that we won't restore our living standards without a strong economy and we will be at the forefront of the economic debate.
"I want to thank David Littleproud for his service as our leader for the past four years. It is a tough job and took guts for David to be upfront last week. David will continue to serve the Nationals team as Shadow Minister for Emergency Services and Tourism, both areas that he is well familiar with in his beautiful electorate in western Queensland.
"I thank Angus Taylor for making these appointments. We are great mates and have already hit it off as two new leaders with a renewed vigour to take back Australia."
Our priorities are building stronger regional economies and secure communities, delivering opportunity and prosperity for all regional Australians, and ensuring a sustainable environment.
Stronger, more secure, sustainable local communities that provide the opportunity for everyone to prosper will deliver a stronger, more secure and sustainable nation.
The Nationals commitment to the national interest does not stop there. The Nationals provide a considered and common sense perspective on all elements of Government policy and a balance between Australia’s political extremes.
