Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has offered his resignation as the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia as he backs Barnaby Joyce’s leadership bid.

Mr Joyce (main picture) is set to challenge Michael McCormack for the leadership of the National Party today.

In a statement last night Senator Canavan said he had come to the view that a leadership change was needed to effectively fight for regional Australia.

“…Forthright leadership from the Nationals party is needed more than ever,” he said.

“A worker in a coal mine, a farming cane family and indigenous Australians who just want to develop their own land, are all having their interests threatened by a radical agenda that seeks to shut down Australia’s wealth producing industries.

“More than ever, the Nationals party must be strong in defence of our people’s livelihoods and the future opportunities for their children.”

It comes after Queensland backbencher Llew O’Brien indicated he would call for a spill of the leadership in today’s partyroom meeting following Bridget McKenzie’s resignation from the frontbench over the sports rorts scandal.

NQ Cowboys funding twist

In a twist, Senator Canavan also revealed a possible conflict of interest over NAIF funding for the NQ Cowboys’ planned Community, Training and High Performance Centre in Townsville due to his Cowboys supporters membership.

“This is a membership I have not previously declared,” he said.

“In November 2019, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) provided notice of an Investment Decision to the Cowboys Rugby League Football Limited. 

“Investment Decisions are a matter for the independent NAIF Board. My membership of the Leagues Club provides no interest in the management of the Football Club.  As Minister for Northern Australia, the NAIF Act provides only limited criteria by which this decision may be rejected, none of which were trigged by this decision.”

He said he had sought further advice from the Prime Minister’s Office on the matter.

“At this stage, I do not believe that a failure to declare this membership was a breach of the Statement of Ministerial Standards nor a direct conflict of interest,” Senator Canavan said.

“However, in the interests of full disclosure, I will take the earliest opportunity to update the Senate regarding this membership.”