February 23, 2016
As tipped last week, former Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney has thrown his hat in the ring for the Federal seat of Wide Bay.
LNP nominations for the seat, held by outgoing deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, opened on Monday afternoon.
Mr Seeney confirmed told the media on Monday night he’d made up his mind to enter the pre-selection process to choose Mr Truss’ successor.
“In keeping with the LNP constitution as a candidate seeking endorsement, I will be unable to make any further comment about my candidacy until after the pre-selection process is completed,” Mr Seeney said.
Nominations for Wide Bay will close on March 7.
Mr Seeney, a former Monto Shire councillor and Nationals leader, has served as the Member for Callide since 1998.
Last week Mr Seeney said he thought his talents and abilities were not “being used to their fullest extent on behalf of the people of regional Queensland”.
He said he was disappointed not to have a more active role in the Opposition.
Meanwhile, Mr Seeney’s Toowoomba South colleague and fellow former Newman Government frontbencher John McVeigh is also expected to make a tilt for Canberra.
Ian Macfarlane’s impending departure from Federal politics will open up the seat of Groom, which Mr McVeigh’s father, Tom, had previously held.
If one or both men are successful in winning pre-selection for Wide Bay and Groom, by-elections would have to be held in Callide and Toowoomba South.
- Related article: Jeff Seeney Looks To Canberra
