Nationals leader Matt Canavan says he is more “worried” about the country’s direction than losing Saturday’s Farrer by-election.
The vote, brought by ex-Liberal leader Sussan Ley’s hasty departure from politics, is widely expected to be a race between One Nation’s David Farley and independent Michelle Milthorpe.
If either win, it would take the seat out of the Coalition’s hands for the first time in its 77-year history.
But Senator Canavan on Sunday dismissed the “emotional dialogue” around the looming seat loss.
“Those things don’t concern me. I’m worried about our country. Very, very worried where the country is headed,” Senator Canavan told the ABC’s Insiders.
“That’s why I’m fighting every day to try and make things better.
“And … yes, I do believe we can make things better if the National Party is elected in Farrer, but I understand why people have been disillusioned with us.”
He said he did not understand how “people seem to view everything through the prism of jobs for politicians” when he travels to Canberra.
“We’ve got to win. I’m in it to win it, and … I’m fighting pretty hard to win it,” he said.
“But I just … don’t quite understand sometimes the emotional dialogue that is used … in Canberra about these things.
“Because what I worry about the Australian people are worried right now. They’re worried about the fact that they’re paying $27,000 or more on their mortgage every year.
“On average, $27,000 a year more. That’s the worry.
“My job, my political party, is not a worry, in comparison to the difficulties that Australian families are facing under the shocking economic policies of this government.”
The by-election is also seen as a test for One Nation to turn its poll power into seats.
The populist party has never won a federal Lower House seat.
