Politics · Australia · 2 hrs ago
James Ashby weighs running for Capricornia after MP's retirement
One Nation director James Ashby is considering a run for Capricornia, a federal seat in central Queensland.
The possibility follows LNP MP Michelle Landry's plan to retire at the next election.
Her departure could also open a path for Nationals leader Matt Canavan to seek a move from the Senate to the House of Representatives, but he has not said whether he will seek the seat.
Ashby, a close ally of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, lives on the Capricorn Coast and lost a bid for a Queensland state seat in 2024.
One Nation's support has risen nationally, and it received 15.5 per cent of the primary vote in Capricornia at the 2025 federal election.
That growth could make the seat more competitive, though the LNP held it in 2025.
The local One Nation branch will choose its candidate, and the party has not announced whether Ashby will run.
James Ashby says he is considering running for the federal seat of Capricornia at the next election.
His comments follow the announcement that sitting MP Michelle Landry will retire at the next election.
Ashby said business and community members had asked him to run.
One Nation’s Capricornia branch will make the final decision on its candidate.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan has not confirmed whether he will seek LNP preselection for the seat.
- Who
- James Ashby, One Nation’s national director, is considering a run.
- What
- He has not ruled out contesting the federal seat of Capricornia at the next election.
- When
- At the next federal election; a date is not stated.
- Where
- Capricornia, in central Queensland.
- Why
- Business and community members have asked him to run, and Michelle Landry’s planned retirement opens the seat.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ashby unsuccessfully contested the state seat of Keppel.
One Nation received 15.5 per cent of the primary vote in Capricornia, while Michelle Landry retained the seat for the LNP.
Landry announced she would retire at the next election.
Ashby confirmed to the ABC that he was considering calls to run for Capricornia.
- Potential candidate
- James Ashby
- Seat
- Capricornia, central Queensland
- Retiring MP
- Michelle Landry
- One Nation primary vote in Capricornia
- 15.5 per cent at the 2025 federal election
- Latest Newspoll figures
- One Nation 28 per cent; Labor 29 per cent; Coalition 20 per cent
What people are saying
I've told them I will consider their request, therefore I haven't ruled out running.
The Capricornia branch will have the ultimate decision.
I've had quite a number of business and community members reach out over recent months asking me to run.