Federal Nationals leader Matt Canavan will appear at an event commemorating the legacy of one of Australia’s most controversial state premiers.

Canavan is the headline speaker at “Friends of Joh” – a night celebrating the Bjelke-Petersen era in Queensland.

The event, presented by the Young Nationals, will be held in the late Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s home town of Kingaroy on November 21.

Organisers are encouraging attendees to wear their “country finest”.

Canavan has confirmed he will be there, saying Bjelke-Petersen was responsible for turning Queensland into a modern powerhouse.

“The Nationals are proud of their history,” he said.

“The Joh era led to lower taxes, the unprecedented economic development of our state and the emergence of Queensland as the economic engine of our country.

“Joh is and was a Queensland legend. All Queenslanders owe a lot to his leadership.”

Canavan has just announced he will contest the lower-house seat of Capricornia at the next election, where he will wage a pitched battle against Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

Griffith University political scientist Paul Williams said that by laying claim to Bjelke-Petersen’s legacy, Canavan was aiming to re-establish the National Party as the traditional party of the bush.

“It’s saying, we’re the real deal – if you want a real country party, come and talk to us, not these wannabes,” he said.

Bjelke-Petersen, who died in 2005, was premier of Queensland from 1968 to 1987. His wife, Flo, famous for her pumpkin scones, was also a federal senator from 1981 to 1993.

But Joh’s reign ended in disgrace after Tony Fitzgerald QC’s commission of inquiry into police corruption engulfed his government.

Former police commissioner Terry Lewis was jailed for 14 years on corruption charges. Four former state ministers were also jailed, while Joh Bjelke-Petersen narrowly avoided the same fate after being charged with perjury.

His trial ended in a hung jury.

The Bjelke-Petersen era was also distinguished by its authoritarianism, leading to Joh being nicknamed the “Hillbilly Dictator” and “Jackboots Bjelke”.

But the hardline nature of his rule was cloaked by a folksy personal style, encapsulated by his catchphrase “don’t you worry about that”.

Williams said Bjelke-Petersen’s supporters saw him as “the last great developer” in what was then regarded as a frontier state.

“They would say, ‘so what if he broke some rules? He got things done’,” he said.

“That’s the same refrain I hear from people who love Donald Trump.”

Also listed to appear at the event is Llew O’Brien, federal Liberal National Party member for Wide Bay, and Bryson Head, an assistant minister in David Crisafulli’s state government.

Organiser Charlie Plant, Young Nationals president, said the event was private and not open to media.

-AAP