Queensland Senator Matt Canavan is pursuing options for a move to the Lower House, which if successful, would put him in place for a tilt at the National Party leadership before the next federal election.
The former resources minister is considering running in the upcoming Groom by-election, made vacant by LNP member John McVeigh, who resigned due to his wife’s illness last week.
The seat covers rural towns west of Brisbane, with Toowoomba as the central district and is the safest Liberal seat in the country.
Discussions are underway to determine whether the seat can be reassigned to the Nationals with a decision expected to made later this week.
Senator Canavan will not make a move if the seat remains with the Liberal Party.
Liberal Senator James McGrath, who went to high school in Toowoomba is also considering contesting the preselection.
A date is yet to be set for the Groom by-election. With speaker Tony Smith expected to make the decision when parliament resumes next month.
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