Two experienced government senators have effectively been dumped by the Queensland Liberal National Party for the next federal election.

Former Howard government minister and Father of the Senate Ian Macdonald was relegated to the fourth position on the LNP ticket in a preselection battle. The position is considered unwinnable.

Long-serving Queensland Senator Ian Macdonald has been relegated on the Senate ticket. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The top spot went to Brisbane mining executive Paul Scarr. Super Butcher Group managing director Susan McDonald is in second place while finance executive Gerard Rennick is in third position.

Another sitting senator, Barry O'Sullivan, narrowly missed out on preselection, having vied for the second spot on the ticket.