Senator Matt Canavan has pushed for a sweeping economic revolution, arguing that Australia must fundamentally change its economic direction as living standards decline and structural pressures intensify.
Speaking at the National Press Club, Canavan set out what he described as a “Patriot Agenda” aimed at restoring growth, rebuilding national industries, and reversing what he sees as a prolonged deterioration in economic conditions.
In his address, he combined personal reflection with broader economic critique, using anecdotes to frame a wider argument about production, self-reliance, and national identity. Canavan recalled how political criticism once focused on his habit of taking photos in his shed, where he builds furniture, using the story to highlight the value of making tangible goods. “There’s something important about real physical things that you take pride in,” he said, linking this idea to a broader need for Australia to rediscover its capacity to produce and build domestically.
Senator Canavan further emphasized on declining living standards, particularly among younger Australians and argued that economic pressures are driving frustrations and political dissatisfaction across the country.
“Young Australians, in particular, have been smashed in the last few years. Living standards, real wages have gone back fifteen years. And that’s before you probably look at the real cost of land and housing.”
Matt Canavan
He went on to connect these concerns to a broader shift in voter sentiment, warning that traditional political approaches are losing public confidence. “No wonder people are angry in this country. No wonder they are starting to say they’ll vote for non-mainstream political parties,” he lamented.
“I’ve been frustrated. I’ve been isolated. I felt that maybe my career was over. But I think we’re starting to get a wake-up call over the past year. We are a country that I believe wants to rediscover our pioneering spirit, wants to start making things again. And I really do think we can recapture our Australian living standards if we focus on that once more.”
Matt Canavan
Moreover, Canavan rejects what he described as incremental reform efforts, arguing for a more transformative approach. “I think, given the state of our country, we need an economic revolution. We need major, major changes to get things going again, ” he stated.
He further highlighted the historical perspective on Australia’s economic development, referencing earlier periods of protectionism and later waves of deregulation and globalization. While acknowledging that these approaches once delivered benefits, Canavan argued that global conditions have changed significantly.
“All of those trends are reversing. The population is aging in most countries. We don’t have those increases in workforce numbers. Spending and debt have gone through the roof. Businesses now are not running themselves to be profitable. They’re following this thing called ESG, which if you don’t know what it stands for, it’s, extreme shortages guaranteed. And you can see that at petrol stations today.”
Matt Canavan
He contended that these changes should lead to a re-evaluation of whether the nation’s interests are still served by previous economic frameworks.
Canavan Outlines Patriot Agenda for Economic Revival
Senator Matt Canavan detailed what he described as a “Patriot Agenda” for national economic revival, presenting a wide-ranging policy framework that he claims is better suited to current economic realities, even if some elements prove contentious.
At the centre of the proposal is a call for a “manufacturing renaissance” aimed at protecting key domestic industries. Canavan argued that Australia must take a more assertive approach to safeguarding its economic base, including the use of tariffs as a strategic tool.
The plan also calls for a significant reduction in migration levels, with the senator warning that current intake levels are placing increasing pressure on housing, infrastructure, and public services.
Energy policy forms another major pillar of the agenda, with Canavan advocating for “energy abundance.” He contends that Australia has vast energy resources that remain underutilized due to regulatory constraints, and that unlocking these resources is essential to driving economic growth and reducing costs for businesses and households.
The proposal further includes a renewed focus on large-scale infrastructure development, with calls for a “21st century national works program.” This, he believes, would involve investment in new dams, power stations, and emerging sectors such as space technology, alongside broader efforts to expand the country’s economic capacity.
Regional growth is a crucial priority on the agenda. Canavan said that Australia should create new cities to best use its geographical size. He related this to housing costs and demographic trends, arguing that expanding access to backyard houses may help address declining birth rates and promote long-term population stability.
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