Matt Canavan

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = Senator the Honourable

| name = Matt Canavan

| honorific-suffix =

| image = Matt_Canavan.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Canavan in 2017

| office = Minister for Resources and Northern Australia

| term_start = 27 October 2017

| term_end = 3 February 2020

| primeminister = Malcolm Turnbull
Scott Morrison

| predecessor = Barnaby Joyce {{small|(acting)}}

| successor = Keith Pitt

| term_start1 = 19 July 2016

| term_end1 = 25 July 2017

| primeminister1 = Malcolm Turnbull

| predecessor1 = Josh Frydenberg {{small|(as Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia)}}

| successor1 = Barnaby Joyce {{small|(acting)}}

| office2 = Minister for Northern Australia

| term_start2 = 18 February 2016

| term_end2 = 19 July 2016

| primeminister2 = Malcolm Turnbull

| predecessor2 = Josh Frydenberg {{small|(as Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia)}}

| successor2 = Himself {{small|(as Minister for Northern Australia)}}

| office3 = Senator for Queensland

| term_start3 = 1 July 2014

| term_end3 =

| office4 = Deputy Leader of the
Nationals in the Senate

| term_start4 = 2 July 2019

| term_end4 = 27 September 2022

| office5 = Nationals Party Whip in the Senate

| term_start5 = 10 September 2015

| term_end5 = 18 February 2016

| birth_name = Matthew James Canavan

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1980|12|17}}

| birth_place = Southport, Queensland, Australia

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Australian

| party = National Party {{small|(Federal)}}
Liberal National Party {{small|(State)}}

|otherparty = Coalition

| residence = Yeppoon, Queensland

| alma_mater = University of Queensland

| occupation = Economist

| profession =

| signature =

| website = {{URL|mattcanavan.com.au/}}

| footnotes =

}}

Matthew James Canavan (born 17 December 1980) is an Australian politician. He was elected to the Australian Senate representing the state of Queensland at the 2013 federal election for the term beginning 1 July 2014. He won re-election at the 2016 election and again at the 2022 Australian federal election. He was the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia between February 2016 and February 2020. He is a member of the Liberal National Party and sits with National Party in federal parliament.{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Senators/Senators-elect|title=Senators-elect: terms commencing 1 July 2014|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=6 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211235056/http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Senators/Senators-elect|archive-date=11 February 2014}}

In July 2017, amid the 2017–18 Australian parliamentary eligibility crisis, Canavan resigned from Cabinet over doubt as to his eligibility to be a member of the parliament, after discovering that he might be an Italian citizen.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-25/matt-canavan-citizenship-crisis-resigns-from-cabinet/8742702|title=Matt Canavan resigns from Malcolm Turnbull's ministry over Italian citizenship|last=Belot|first=Henry|work=ABC News|date=25 July 2017|access-date=26 July 2017}} After the High Court found in October 2017 that Canavan was not an Italian citizen,{{cite web|last1=Wickham|first1=Ben|title=Senior Deputy Registrar|url=http://www.hcourt.gov.au/assets/publications/judgment-summaries/2017/hca-45-2017-10-27.pdf|website=High Court of Australia|access-date=27 October 2017}} he was immediately reappointed to Cabinet.{{cite news | url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/australian-pm-seeks-to-calm-nerves-after-he-loses-majority-over-deputys-dual-citizenship | title=Australian PM seeks to calm nerves after he loses majority over deputy's dual citizenship | date=27 October 2017 | work=National Post}}

In February 2020, Canavan resigned again from Cabinet to support Barnaby Joyce in his unsuccessful bid for National Party leadership.{{citation | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/03/matt-canavan-quits-cabinet-to-back-barnaby-joyce-for-national-party-leadership | title=Matt Canavan quits cabinet to back Barnaby Joyce for National party leadership | date=3 February 2020 | author=Sarah Martin and Paul Karp | work=The Guardian}}

In May 2025, Canavan unsuccessfully challenged David Littleproud for leadership following the 2025 Australian federal election in the 2025 National Party of Australia leadership spill.{{cite news |last1=Crowley |first1=Tom |title=Littleproud stays on as Nationals leader after party vote |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-12/littleproud-remains-as-nationals-leader/105282850 |access-date=12 May 2025 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=12 May 2025 |language=en-AU}}

Early life

Canavan was born in Southport on the Gold Coast, Queensland. He is of Italian descent; his mother's parents were born in Lozzo di Cadore, in the Italian province of Belluno.{{cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Senators_Interests/CitizenshipRegister |title=Citizenship Register |publisher=Parliament of Australia |access-date=5 December 2017}} His father Bryan worked as a manager at Woolworths and sales representative with Nestlé, while his mother Maria worked as a teller with the Commonwealth Bank.{{cite news|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/inquirer/matt-canavan-the-1980s-kid-in-the-cabinet/news-story/c79b0b51f6fbf53a1ccc528cf19f36b1|title=Matt Canavan: the 1980s kid in the cabinet|first=Joe|last=Kelly|newspaper=The Australian|date=1 August 2016|access-date=30 January 2021}} His brother John is a mining executive, and managing director of Winfield Energy, which had a significant interest in the Rolleston coal mine until 2020.{{cite news |last1=Chenoweth |first1=Neil |title=Canavan’s back story with Glencore |url=https://www.afr.com/rear-window/canavan-s-back-story-with-glencore-20220606-p5arfm |access-date=12 May 2025 |work=Australian Financial Review |date=6 June 2022}}

Canavan grew up in Slacks Creek in the City of Logan. He attended Chisholm Catholic College, where he was active in Edmund Rice Camps.{{cite news|url=https://catholicleader.com.au/people/queensland-senator-matthew-canavan-found-god-in-holy-matrimony|title=Queensland Senator Matthew Canavan found God in holy matrimony|newspaper=The Catholic Leader|date=20 September 2016|first=Emilie|last=Ng|access-date=30 January 2021}} While at University, Canavan identified as a communist until a political disagreement with volunteers for the International Socialist Organisation.{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/matt-canavan-a-communist-turned-economist-in-a-bushies-hat-20170515-gw4xrg|title=Matt Canavan, a communist turned economist in a bushie's hat|website=Australian Financial Review|last1=Ludlow|first1=Mark|date=May 26, 2017|accessdate=August 5, 2022}} He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Economics (Hons.) from the University of Queensland.{{cite Au Parliament |mpid=245212 |name=Senator Matthew Canavan |access-date=2021-11-07}} After graduating from university he moved to Canberra to work at the Productivity Commission. He was a senior research economist (2003–2008) and later director (2009–2010), briefly moving to Brisbane as a senior executive at KPMG (2008–2009). From 2010 to 2013 Canavan served as chief of staff to Senator Barnaby Joyce, at the time serving as shadow minister for finance.{{cite web|url=http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/toowoomba-will-soon-have-its-first-two-representat/2014427/|title=Toowoomba's first Senator to speak up for regions|date=10 September 2013|work=The Chronicle|access-date=6 February 2014}} He later turned down an offer to move to Andrew Robb's office, despite Joyce's demotion to a less senior portfolio.

Political career

File:Wilbur Ross and Matthew Canavan.jpg]]

Canavan was elected to the Australian Senate as a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland, representing Queensland at the 2013 federal election for the term beginning 1 July 2014.{{cite web|url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F232fa1a8-d7e8-4b22-9018-1a99b5a96812%2F0176%22|title=Senator CANAVAN First Speech|date=16 July 2014}} He sits with the National Party in the Senate, although he had been a member of the Liberal club during his latter days at UQ.

In the First Turnbull Ministry, Canavan served as the Minister for Northern Australia between 18 February and 19 July 2016.{{cite web |url=http://gg.gov.au/events/ministerial-swearing-ceremony-0 |title=Ministerial Swearing-in Ceremony |work=Events |publisher=Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia |date=18 February 2016 |access-date=19 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301170128/http://gg.gov.au/events/ministerial-swearing-ceremony-0 |archive-date=1 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} He was the first member of cabinet born in the 1980s.

With the reelection of the Turnbull government in 2016, Canavan was elevated into Cabinet becoming the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia in the Second Turnbull Ministry.{{cite news|first=Stephanie|last=Anderson|title=Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull unveils ministry with Christopher Pyne, Greg Hunt on the move|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-18/malcolm-turnbull-unveils-new-look-ministry/7638492|newspaper=ABC News|date=20 July 2016|access-date=22 July 2016}} He briefly resigned from the Cabinet between July and October 2016 amid his High Court citizenship challenge.

On 3 February 2020, he resigned again from Cabinet to support Barnaby Joyce in his unsuccessful bid for National Party leadership. He also cited his failure to declare his membership of the North Queensland Cowboys, as the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility within his Northern Australia portfolio, approved a $20 million loan for the Cowboys to build a training centre next to the North Queensland Stadium in Townsville.{{cite web|url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6612426/matt-canavan-forgot-he-was-a-cowboys-member-when-they-received-a-20-million-loan/?cs=298|title=Matt Canavan forgot he was member of the North Queensland Cowboys when NAIF gave them a $20 million loan|publisher=Illawarra Mercury|date=4 February 2020|access-date=11 August 2020}} He denied it was a breach of ministerial standards as under the North Australia Infrastructure Facility Act, he had no power to approve loans but could only reject them.

After his resignation from the Cabinet, he remained as deputy leader of the Nationals in the Senate, along with Bridget McKenzie as leader, as the other three Nationals senators were first-termers.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-04/nationals-leadership-michael-mccormack-barnaby-joyce/11927014|title=Michael McCormack defeats Barnaby Joyce to remain Nationals leader|publisher=ABC News|date=4 February 2020|access-date=12 February 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/feb/04/barnaby-joyce-national-party-mccormack-morrison-coalition-spill-politics-live?page=with:block-5e38c5648f086a28115a5070|title=Anthony Albanese says public wants 'practical' action on climate change – as it happened|work=The Guardian|date=4 February 2020|access-date=12 February 2020}}

Canavan has served on the "Inquiry into the destruction of 46,000 year old caves at the Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia", which delivered its interim report in December 2020.{{cite book| url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Northern_Australia/CavesatJuukanGorge/Interim_Report| title=Never again: Inquiry into the destruction of 46,000 year old caves at the Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia - Interim Report| date=December 2020| author=Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia| isbn=978-1-76092-197-2| publisher=Commonwealth of Australia| access-date=23 June 2021| archive-date=24 June 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203247/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Northern_Australia/CavesatJuukanGorge/Interim_Report| url-status=dead}} [https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportjnt/024579/toc_pdf/NeverAgain.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf PDF]

Canavan unsuccessfully challenged David Littleproud for leadership following the 2025 Australian federal election in the 2025 National Party of Australia leadership spill.{{cite news |last1=Crowley |first1=Tom |title=Littleproud stays on as Nationals leader after party vote |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-12/littleproud-remains-as-nationals-leader/105282850 |access-date=12 May 2025 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=12 May 2025 |language=en-AU}}

= High Court citizenship challenge (2017) =

In 2006, Canavan's mother had registered him as an "Italian resident abroad" with the Italian consulate in Brisbane. Canavan stated that he had been unaware of this until his mother had informed him of it following the resignation of two Greens senators over their dual citizenship.{{cite web|title=Transcript of statements on Senator Canavan's citizenship, Brisbane|url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F5416764%22|website=Parliament of Australia|access-date=26 July 2017}} The government took the view that he was not in breach of the Constitution, as the registration had not been made with his knowledge or consent. Canavan resigned from cabinet, but not from Parliament, as he had not yet been given a definitive legal view on the matter.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/resources-minister-matt-canavan-could-be-dualitalian-citizen-and-may-have-to-resign-20170725-gxijvq.html|title=Resources Minister Matt Canavan resigns from cabinet following doubts over dual citizenship|first=James|last=Massola|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=25 July 2017|access-date=26 July 2017}}

Initially, Canavan accepted that he had Italian citizenship.{{cite news| last1=Whitbourn| first1=Michaela| last2=Remeikis|first2=Amy|last3=Massola|first3=James|title=Matt Canavan and Malcolm Roberts change their stories in High Court citizenship hearing|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/citizenship-saga-will-not-be-resolved-until-at-least-october-high-court-hears-20170824-gy31ds.html|access-date=5 September 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=25 August 2017}} He then renounced it, effective 8 August 2017.{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Pamela|title=Nationals senator Matt Canavan renounces Italian citizenship|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/nationals-senator-matt-canavan-renounces-italian-citizenship/news-story/d35693584ec1fef3e4bcdcb194b8dca5|access-date=5 September 2017|work=The Australian|publisher=News Corp Australia|date=23 August 2017}} On the same day, on a government motion with all-party support, the Senate resolved to refer the matters of Senators Scott Ludlam, Larissa Waters and Canavan to the High Court as Court of Disputed Returns. The Attorney-General indicated that the Commonwealth would argue, in favour of Cavanan, that s 44(i) requires a personal acknowledgement of the connection, which had not occurred. Canavan spoke in support of the referral, while stating that he did not believe he was in breach of s 44(i), and said that he would not be voting in the Senate until his position was determined by the Court.{{cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansards/ab208765-08aa-483b-a2da-5b900a99ab3e/&sid=0000|title=Senate Hansard|date=8 August 2017|access-date=2 November 2017}} Later, four other members of the federal parliament were referred to the High Court, which heard the seven cases together.

In the High Court, government lawyers argued for Canavan and others that s 44(i) requires some personal acknowledgement of another citizenship, which had not occurred; in its judgment on 27 October 2017, the Court rejected this interpretation of the sub-section. For Canavan, it was argued in addition that his registration as an "Italian resident abroad" in 2006 had been incorrect in supposing that he was an Italian citizen and that, although a change in Italian citizenship law when he had been two years old could appear to have conferred Italian citizenship upon him, it could not be shown to have done so.{{cite news|last1=Remeikis|first1=Amy|last2=Karp|first2=Paul|title=Matt Canavan claim that Italian citizenship is 'doubtful' should be rejected, court hears|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/12/matt-canavan-may-have-been-italian-citizen-experts-report-says|access-date=16 October 2017|work=The Guardian|date=12 October 2017}} The Court accepted these points and held that Canavan had never been a citizen of Italy; accordingly, he had been validly elected.{{cite AustLII|HCA|45|2017|litigants=Re Canavan |date=27 October 2017}}.{{rp|para 86}}{{cite news|last=Koziol|first=Michael|title=High Court citizenship verdict: Nationals deputy Fiona Nash falls but Matt Canavan clings on|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/high-court-citizenship-verdict-nationals-deputy-fiona-nash-falls-but-matt-canavan-clings-on-20171026-gz9aqh.html|access-date=28 October 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=27 October 2017}}

Political views

File:RockyRingRoadRally39.jpg rally, 2022]]Canavan opposed same-sex marriage in the lead-up to the 2017 marriage law plebiscite.{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nationals-mp-trevor-khan-lashes-out-at-colleague-matt-canavan-over-samesex-marriage-20171012-gyzalk.html | title=Nationals MP Trevor Khan lashes out at colleague Matt Canavan over same-sex marriage | date=12 October 2017 }} In 2017, when Cory Bernardi moved a motion to ban abortion on gender grounds, Canavan was one of ten MPs who voted for the motion, which was defeated with 36 votes against.{{cite web|url=https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/divisions/senate/2017-11-16/2|title=Australian Senate vote not passed, 16th Nov 2017, 12:15 PM|website=They Vote For You|access-date=24 April 2018}}

In 2024, Canavan voted against Australian Government's proposed legislation to ban children under 16 from social media. He was the only National who voted against it. {{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-28/federal-politics-live-november-28/104654902 |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=ABC News |title=Senate passes social media ban for under 16s among 32 bills — as it happened |at=Social media ban for under 16s passes |first1=Courtney |last1=Gould |first2=Tessa |last2=Fleming |first3=Tom |last3=Crowley |date=28 November 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=30 November 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241130073310/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-28/federal-politics-live-november-28/104654902}}

=Climate change=

Canavan is a climate change denier{{cite web | url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/canavan-not-for-turning-on-climate-change-despite-liberal-drubbing-20220526-p5aon7 | title=Canavan hardens climate stance despite Liberal drubbing | date=26 May 2022 }} and a prominent supporter of fossil fuels, particularly coal,{{cite web|url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2021/08/12/news-corp-climate-denial-2020/|title=Not my problem: how climate denial works in the 2020s|publisher=Crikey|first=Christopher|last=Warren|date=12 August 2021|accessdate=14 August 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/13/stop-trying-to-save-the-planet-matthew-canavan-tells-queensland-government |title=Stop trying to save the planet, Matthew Canavan tells Queensland government |work=The Guardian |last=Slezak |first=Michael |date=13 July 2017 |access-date=5 December 2017}} and has strongly opposed investment in renewable energy.{{cite news|url= https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-big-battery-gets-mocked-australia-resource-minister/ |title= Tesla's South Australia battery is 'Kim Kardashian' of energy, says minister |website= teslarati.com |first= Simon |last= Alvarez |date= 14 March 2018 |access-date= 15 March 2018}} He has been referred to as one of the major players in the LNP split over climate and energy policy, frequently advocating for more coal power plants, despite their higher costs and higher emissions than alternative energies.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/26/scott-morrison-forced-to-clarify-net-zero-commitment-amid-coalition-division | title=Matt Canavan declares net zero by 2050 is 'all over bar the shouting' after PM tries to quell divisions | Australian election 2022 | the Guardian | date=26 April 2022 }}

Canavan has rejected that climate change contributed to the catastrophic 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, despite evidence to the contrary.{{cite news |title='There is no link': the climate doubters within Scott Morrison's government |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/16/there-is-no-link-the-climate-doubters-within-scott-morrisons-government |access-date=16 January 2020 |work=The Guardian}} His views have been rebuked by climate scientists and other members of Parliament, including Nationals MP Darren Chester.{{cite web | url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2022-coalition-climate-change-split-emerges-as-nationals-senator-matt-canavan-labels-netzero-goal-dead/c3a5f713-35b4-46b5-b5e8-240b7b9dc8f2 | title=Federal election 2022: Coalition climate change split emerges as Nationals Senator Matt Canavan labels net-zero goal 'dead' }} {{cite web | last=Maiden | first=Samantha | title='Net zero is dead': Aussie climate clash | website=news | date=26 April 2022 | url=https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/climate-change-war-erupts-as-nationals-mp-matt-canavan-declares-net-zero-is-dead/news-story/7018e748ff20ea64d7204171ee8a5df8?amp | access-date=5 January 2024}}

In response to a protest in November 2018 where high school students walked out of class to protest the Australian government's inaction on climate change, he responded "I want kids to be at school to learn about how you build a mine, how you do geology, how you drill for oil and gas". He also stated "The best thing you'll learn about going to a protest is how to join the dole queue."{{Cite web|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/matt-canavan-says-students-should-learn-geology-it-s-called-earth-and-environmental-science-20181202-p50jnl.html|title=Matt Canavan says students should learn geology. It's called earth & environmental science|last=Pitt|first=Helen|website=The Brisbane Times|date=2 December 2018|access-date=2 December 2018}}

He also strongly opposes the teaching of climate change in schools, stating that children are "more interested in PewDiePie than politics", "Fortnite than fostering revolution" and that the only mining they get involved in is in Minecraft.{{cite web | url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/children-more-interested-in-fortnite-than-fostering-revolution/video/5fae64227275e3a27fa54103c059e50e | title=Children 'more interested in Fortnite than fostering revolution' | date=19 February 2020 }}

Canavan is a critic of net zero emissions targets, labelling them "a failed agenda".{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Kath |title=Nationals leadership to be decided as early as next week, along with potential change on net zero |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-24/barnaby-joyce-national-party-leadership-to-be-tested/101092956 |access-date=12 May 2025 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=23 May 2022 |language=en-AU}}

=Black Lives Matter=

In October 2020, he shared a picture on Facebook and Twitter that showed a vehicle with a sticker that stated "Black Coal Matters" on it, intended as a parody of the American social movement Black Lives Matter. This was posted in the wake of major racial tension following the murder of George Floyd, and Canavan was met with heavy backlash on social media.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/au/entry/matt-canavan-black-coal-matters_au_5f7ce1adc5b6e5aba0d18d3d|title=Nationals Senator Matt Canavan Stands By Racist 'Black Coal Matters' Slogan On Ute|work=Huffington Post|first=Carly|last=Williams|date=6 October 2020|accessdate=8 October 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/black-coal-matters-nationals-senator-slammed-for-racist-slogan|title='Black Coal Matters': Nationals senator slammed for 'racist' slogan|work=SBS World News|first1=Eden|last1=Gillespie|first2=Jarni|last2=Blakkarly|date=6 October 2020|accessdate=8 October 2020}}

He later defended the post as a "joke", and declared that the Black Lives Matter movement deserves "ridicule".{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-09/senator-defends-black-coal-matters-car-sticker-social-post/12747482|title='Black Coal Matters' car sticker defended by Queensland senator saying BLM movement deserves ridicule|work=ABC News (Australia)|first1=Jemima|last1=Burt|first2=Paul|last2=Culliver|date=8 October 2020|accessdate=10 October 2020}}

=Woke=

In August 2021, Canavan received widespread criticism when he took issue with the announcement that the children's entertainment group the Wiggles had recruited a further four members, who were ethnically diverse, a move he perceived as "woke", saying in an interview with The Australian newspaper: "The Wiggles are free to do what they like. It was nice while it lasted. But you go woke, you go broke." His comments were perceived by some as racially insensitive.{{Cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/new-woke-lineup-for-the-wiggles-slammed-by-outspoken-nationals-senator-matt-canavan/news-story/85eec01541844ccafd49c60b8ae2bb20|title = Senator slams new 'woke' Wiggles|newspaper = News.com.au|date = 22 August 2021|last1 = Molloy|first1 = Shannon}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/australasia/article/go-woke-go-broke-australian-mp-matt-canavan-attacks-inclusive-line-up-for-the-wiggles-zjblxj0l3|title='Go woke, go broke': Australian MP Matt Canavan dismisses racial diversity on children's show|work=The Times|date=23 August 2021|access-date=25 August 2021}}

=Covid=

In November 2021, Canavan was one of five Coalition senators who crossed the floor to vote for Pauline Hanson's proposed COVID-19 Vaccination Status (Prevention of Discrimination) Bill 2021, which would have prevented people who willingly refused the COVID-19 vaccine from being subject to any kind of mandate or consequence.{{cite web | url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00156 | title=COVID-19 Vaccination Status (Prevention of Discrimination) Bill 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/scott-morrison-faces-senate-revolt-over-pauline-hanson-bill/news-story/519fbb22fc22f7f620142007d0386ae3 |title= Scott Morrison faces Senate revolt over Pauline Hanson bill |website=news.com.au |date=22 November 2021 |access-date=22 November 2021}}

His support of the bill drew criticism and accusations of being anti-vaccine.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/22/one-nation-anti-vaccine-mandate-bill-rejected-despite-support-from-five-coalition-senators|title=One Nation anti-vaccine mandate bill rejected despite support from five Coalition senators|work=The Guardian|first1=Paul|last1=Karp|first2=Sarah|last2=Martin|date=22 November 2021|accessdate=24 November 2021}} Canavan called for the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine to be halted, contrary to the policy of his own government and views of his colleagues.{{cite web | url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7169179/canavan-scolded-by-regional-health-minister-for-vaccine-rollout-suspension-call/ | title=Canavan scolded by Regional Health Minister for vaccine rollout suspension call | date=16 March 2021 }} In September 2023, Canavan promoted a conspiracy theory that COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of stillbirths, citing Leading Report, an American website known for promoting misinformation.{{Cite web |last=Summers |first=William |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Senator shares baseless claim linking vaccines to stillbirths |url=https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/senator-shares-baseless-claim-linking-vaccines-to-stillbirths/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111003401/https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/senator-shares-baseless-claim-linking-vaccines-to-stillbirths/ |archive-date=2024-01-11 |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Australian Associated Press |language=en}}

=Gender=

In January 2025, Canavan said that Australia should copy an executive order signed by Donald Trump which stated that the United States federal government will only recognize two genders, male and female.{{cite web | url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/follow-trump-s-lead-on-gender-choices-coalition-mps-20250121-p5l605 | title=Follow Trump's lead on gender choices: Coalition MPs | date=21 January 2025 }}

Personal life

Canavan met his wife, Andrea, at university while volunteering with Edmund Rice Camps. As of 2017, they had five children together and lived in Yeppoon.{{cite news|url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/it-is-a-case-of-fifth-time-lucky-for-the-canavans/3128049/|title=It is a case of fifth time lucky for the Canavans|newspaper=The Morning Bulletin|first=Matthew|last=Connors|date=3 January 2017|access-date=30 January 2021}} They also own a property in Barmaryee and a house in Macquarie, Australian Capital Territory.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/11/matt-canavan-leaves-two-properties-worth-more-than-1m-off-2019-declaration-of-interests|title=Matt Canavan leaves two properties worth more than $1m off 2019 declaration of interests|first1=Paul|last1=Karp|first2=Amy|last2=Remeikis|publisher=Guardian Australia|date=11 February 2020|access-date=30 January 2021}}

Canavan has said he "rediscovered" his Roman Catholic faith while preparing for his wedding.