Deb is done: Frecklington steps down as Qld LNP leader after election crushing

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has quit as Queensland leader of the Liberal National Party after she was blitzed at the ballot boxes during the weekend’s state election.

Once the Electoral Commission of Queensland has declared the final election results, she will call a party meeting and ask her colleagues to appoint a new leader.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington announces she will step down as leader of the LNP in Queensland on Monday.Credit: Tony Moore

"On Saturday night, I said I wanted to remain leader of the Liberal National Party. My first instinct is always to fight on. Since then, I've had a great day with my family, my husband Jason, and reflected on my future," Ms Frecklington said.

"Once all of the results are finally declared, I will convene a party room meeting and I will ask my colleagues to appoint a new leader of the Liberal National Party.

"I will not be a candidate in the leadership contest. Whoever the new leader of the LNP is will have my full support and my full loyalty. I will assist them in any way possible to help this party move forward."

Ms Frecklington said she would remain as the member for Nanango and looked forward to driving to Kingaroy on Monday afternoon to spend time in her electorate.

She said she was proud of the campaign she and her LNP colleagues had run.

"It was a difficult election for the opposition at the start of 2020.

"The LNP was in a very strong prospect of winning this election.

"There is no doubt that COVID has had a huge impact on Queensland politics, just as COVID has had an impact on politics and other elections in both Australia and New Zealand.

"I am proud of the policies and the candidates that we put forward at this election. I'm proud of the campaign that we fought. We fought fair."

Deb Frecklington delivers her concession speech on Saturday night.Credit: Toby Crockford

When asked what changed between her concession speech on Saturday night when she said she would remain party leader and her resignation on Monday morning, Ms Frecklington said: "Probably my husband, Jason, and my three beautiful girls. We got to spend the day [together].

"My youngest daughter is in the middle of ATAR. She's about to do her final exams. I've got my middle daughter driving today to Mount Isa to do prac as a community nurse.

"You know, I mean, family is really important to me and I have really, you know ... For the last three years, they have, you know, not had me around."

Ms Frecklington said it was the "greatest privilege" of her life to lead the LNP and she thanked her parliamentary colleagues, deputy Tim Mander, staff and party members for their support.

"I am sorry that despite all of that support we have had we were unable to win this election. I am the leader and I do take responsibility for the election loss," she said.