Arabic version: هانسون وآشبي يستبعدان خوض تحدي كابريكورنيا

According to The Guardian, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and the party’s national director, James Ashby, have ruled out running against Nationals leader Matt Canavan in the Queensland electorate of Capricornia at the next federal election.

Canavan confirmed he will seek the lower house seat after Capricornia MP Michelle Landry announced she would retire from politics. He said someone needed to step up in central Queensland and that he would “put it on the line”.

“I might not be successful. My political career may die, but I’m not going to die wondering,” Canavan told reporters on Monday. “We need a change in this country.”

Ashby said he would play a role in the Capricornia campaign but would not nominate for preselection because of his national director role. He said One Nation would field a candidate, adding that Capricornia was a seat the party could win.

Hanson, who sits in the Senate, also ruled herself out. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said One Nation should target Labor seats rather than Coalition-held electorates if it was serious about defeating Labor.