November 12, 2020
As widely tipped, Broadwater MP David Crisafulli was elected unopposed as leader of the LNP at a party meeting held in Brisbane on Thursday morning.
However, the position of Deputy Leader was contested by four candidates: David Janetzki (Toowoomba South), Dale Last (Burdekin), Steve Minnikin (Chatsworth) and Christian Rowan (Moggill).
Mr Janetzki came out on top, although his winning margin was not revealed.
Mr Crisafulli acknowledged the “tireless effort that Deb Frecklington and Tim Mander” put into the LNP leadership during the election campaign and over the past three years when he announced his bid for the party leadership on November 3.
“Deb and Tim can be proud of their work ethic and long days trying to secure victory for the LNP,” he said.
Mr Crisafulli was first elected to State Parliament during the Campbell Newman tsunami that swept the LNP to power in 2012.
The former journalist and Deputy Mayor of Townsville City Council represented the North Queensland seat of Mundingburra and served as Minister for Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience.
When the Newman tide turned at the 2015 election, Mr Crisafulli lost his seat.
He then started a small business and moved his family to the Gold Coast.
Mr Crisafulli returned to State Parliament at the 2017 election after defeating sitting Member for Broadwater, Verity Barton, for LNP pre-selection.
He served as Shadow Minister for Environment, Science and the Great Barrier Reef, and Shadow Minister for Tourism.
Mr Janetzki was elected to State Parliament at a by-election for the electorate of Toowoomba South in 2016 after sitting member, John McVeigh, switched to Federal politics.
Mr Janetzki was formerly assistant company secretary at Heritage Bank, deputy chairman and trustee of the Empire Theatres Foundation and a casual lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland.
He was educated at Acland and Jondaryan State schools, Concordia Lutheran College and the University of Queensland where he graduated with degrees in law and economics.
His father, Denis, is involved in local shows and is president of the Darling Downs Sub-Chamber.
