A federal party leader will appear at an event commemorating the legacy of one of Australia's most controversial state premiers.
Matt Canavan, leader of the National Party, is the headline speaker at "Friends of Joh" - an evening celebrating the Bjelke-Petersen era in Queensland.
The event, presented by the Young Nationals, will take place in the late Joh Bjelke-Petersen's home town of Kingaroy on November 21.
Organisers are encouraging attendees to dress in their "country finest".
Senator Canavan has confirmed his attendance at the event, saying Bjelke-Petersen was responsible for turning Queensland into a modern powerhouse.
"The Nationals are proud of their history," he told AAP in a statement.
"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."
Senator 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.
Paul Williams, political scientist at Griffith University, said that by laying claim to Bjelke-Petersen's legacy, Senator 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 told AAP.
Bjelke-Petersen, who died in 2005, was premier of Queensland from 1968 to 1987.
His wife, Flo, famous for her pumpkin scones, also served as 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".
Mr Williams said to his supporters, Bjelke-Petersen was "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'," Mr Williams 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, told AAP the event was private and not open to media.
