"I think if the founding fathers were still here, 115 years on from Federation, they'd be a bit surprised that we haven't created new states. There are provisions in the constitution to do that - we haven't used those provisions though we've tried before." New frontbencher Matt Canavan says statehood for northern Queensland could benefit the region's economy. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen In 1967, a referendum on statehood for the New England region of NSW was defeated with a "no" vote of 54 per cent. A "split" Queensland is also thought to lack popular support, but is regularly pushed by northern MPs ahead of federal elections. Leading the charge on this occasion are Katter's Australian Party MPs Rob Katter and Shane Knuth, along with former Labor MP Rob Pyne. Their cause will be aided by the endorsement of Senator Canavan, who said public sentiment should be tested at the polls. "It's good to focus on big ideas for the country - this is a big idea," he said. "It's up to the people whether they want it or not."

The first term Nationals senator was elevated to the ministry by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the February reshuffle, and flagged he would focus on water infrastructure. His Rockhampton office is just to the north of the Tropic of Capricorn, which he floated as a possible dividing line for the new state. Liberal backbencher Ewen Jones says while he doesn't back the proposal, the minister is entitled to spruik the idea. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Mr Turnbull's office had no comment on whether the "split state" question had been discussed by the government or whether Senator Canavan was out of line by backing the idea. Liberal backbencher Ewen Jones, whose Townsville electorate is in Queensland's north, opposes a split state but said the minister was entitled to spruik the proposal. Senator Canavan is based in Rockhampton, on the Tropic of Capricorn.

"This is what senators do, senators talk big picture because they've got six years to make their point," he said. "I firmly believe that we are already over-governed. If anyone tells me the answer is more politicians, I question the question." Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg said he understood the "passionate views" about whether the north deserved its own state and noted he had not been in favour of the suggestion in the past. I firmly believe that we are already over-governed. If anyone tells me the answer is more politicians, I question the question. Liberal backbencher Ewen Jones "These are matters for the people of Queensland but this will not feature as a major issue in the election," Mr Frydenberg said on Monday. Mr Frydenberg, who is also the minister responsible for northern Australia, said he agreed with comments made by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that Queensland was "stronger as a whole".

Senator Canavan said that depending on where the boundary was drawn, northern Queensland's population was about one million - or double the size of Tasmania. "That's a lot of people to govern from a small corner of the south east of Queensland, often more than 1000 kilometres away," he said. "You can't have states of a 1000 people, of course - that would be non-viable. But as much as possible, I think the guiding principle of subsidiarity - that governments should be as close to the people as possible - is still a good one, it's a very good one." with Stephanie Peatling Follow us on Twitter