February 7, 2015
It seems resistance is futile … the Borg is back! Lawrence Springborg, that is, the hot favourite to take over leadership of the LNP has won today’s party vote in Brisbane.
The Health Minister and Member for Southern Downs was handed leadership of the LNP after a three-hour party meeting.
Deputy Leader is another former LNP leader, John-Paul Langbroek.
LNP MPs, including those in seats yet confirmed as won, met in the Speaker’s Hall at Parliament House from 11:00am.
Mr Springborg has been leading recent LNP negotiations with crossbenchers and has extensive Opposition leadership experience.
He is a former National Party leader and played a major role in the formation of the merged LNP.
He led the Nats during the 2004 and 2006 election campaigns, and was LNP leader at the 2009 election.
Before the meeting, the other front-runners tipped in the media were:
- Transport Minister and former journalist Scott Emerson (Member for Indooroopilly)
- Speaker Fiona Simpson (Member for Maroochydore)
- Education Minister and former LNP leader John-Paul Langbroek (Member for Surfers Paradise)
- Assistant Minister for Sport and Racing, former NRL referee Tim Mander (Member for Everton)
- Agriculture Minister John McVeigh (Member for Toowoomba)
Earlier, Deputy Premier and Member for Callide Jeff Seeney said he would not contest either position.
Another early favourite with pundits, Treasurer Tim Nicholls, also said he would not run.
Mr Springborg looks destined for yet another stint as Opposition Leader rather than Premier as the ALP still looks the most likely party to be able to form government.
Today’s LNP vote became necessary following the loss of the seat of Ashgrove by Premier Campbell Newman, who called this morning’s party room meeting.
Mr Newman, however, will remain Caretaker Premier despite today’s vote.
Lawrence Springborg and John-Paul Langbroek will provide stable and experienced leadership to the LNP, which may yet be able to command enough votes on the floor of the Parliament to remain in Government. Whether in Government or in Opposition, we can expect Deb Frecklington to be a senior member of the parliamentary LNP, and to continue to provide her electorate with the dedicated, quality representation that characterized her first three years as Member for Nanango.
I was very unimpressed with Annastacia Palaszczuk’s attack on Lawrence Springborg after the news he’d been appointed as the LNP’s new parliamentary leader. Mr Springborg did a better job as Health Minister in the 30 months he held the job than Annastacia’s team did in the last six years. Attacking him as “yesterday’s man” says more about Annastacia than it does about Lawrence and unfortunately, none of it is any good.
Annie Pallychook is already baring the teeth. Be terrified productive regional Qld, very terrified, indeed.
I suppose I should be happy with their attempt to be a bit Green & recycle / reuse.
Glenn, if you can’t show respect to a position, you should not be surprised when people of calibre refuse to run for public office. Having said that, how well do you know the Premier? She may turn out to be one of the best. Maybe we can give her a couple of years in the job, then decide at the next election before delivering pre-emptive rants.