Queensland LNP starts and ends year with ‘C’ mark

It is going to take team approach and a more convincing alternative for the LNP to stand a chance against a State Government growing in confidence and expert at winning elections.

Queensland LNP leader and her deputy Tim Mander speak to the media on the state's 2018-19 Budget, June 12, 2018. Photo: AAP Image/Dan Peled

It is going to take team approach and a more convincing alternative for the LNP to stand a chance against a State Government growing in confidence and expert at winning elections.

Here’s the end-of-year report card for the Opposition.

OVERALL

C

Just like Labor, the LNP ends 2018 in the same position it started.

Right-wing parties have taken a chunk out of the LNP’s support but leader Deb Frecklington hasn’t taken a bite out of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s lead as preferred premier.

The vaudeville sideshow of the federal Coalition hasn’t helped and no doubt the state LNP can’t wait for the national election to be over.

However, Queensland’s Opposition can’t totally lay the blame for their failure to tear down the Palaszczuk Government at the feet of their forlorn federal colleagues.

It is a credit to Frecklington that she’s lasted 12 months without any credible leadership speculation, no small feat for someone in the LNP’s top job.

That reflects the respect she has earned among MPs for her effort and some clever policies that Labor has quickly copied.

LNP BETTER MONEY MANAGERS: POLL

Still, the pressure will come in 12 months if the Nanango MP doesn’t improve her preferred premier standing and the LNP’s primary support.

Too often LNP MPs have been happy to sit back and watch leaders fail between fighting among each other.

And today’s Courier-Mail report card on the LNP reflects how there’s still both lifters and leaners on Frecklington’s frontbench.

While a “C” mark at this stage is acceptable, it is going to take a team approach and one of a more convincing alternative for the LNP to stand a chance against a Government growing in confidence and experts at winning elections.

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, Parliament House, Brisbane. Photographer: Liam Kidston

DEB FRECKLINGTON

Leader, Trade

B

More of a challenge than the Government ever imagined. A prodigious work ethic and smart policies have forced Labor to follow her lead. Raising her profile and the LNP brand remain the problem.

Mr Timothy (Tim) Mander Member for Everton, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer, during Queensland Parliament Question Time, Brisbane. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

TIM MANDER

Deputy Leader, Treasury

C+

Not a natural with numbers, Mander is making a fist of Treasury. Eager but prone to overplaying his hand. Difficult arguing against the Government’s economic plan when the LNP doesn’t have one either.

 

ANDREW POWELL

State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Planning

C-

Not hungry enough. There are issues around grants, the Government’s giveaways and unfunded infrastructure but Powell is yet to turn these into problems that the Opposition can exploit.

State Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington and Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson with Mooloolaba Prawns at a new policy announcement on Queensland Seafood. Photo Lachie Millard

FIONA SIMPSON

Employment, Small Business, Training, Skills

C-

The former speaker is back on the frontbench, a position she first had in 2001. Given Simpson’s experience, she should be a much higher profile member of the Opposition team.

GCB Ros Bates CAMPAIGN SHOT

ROS BATES

Health, Ambulance Services, Women

B-

Bates proves a problem for the Government whatever portfolio she is given. Dogged in her pursuit of issues, she knows how to bring ministers down after her own Cabinet career crashed.

State Parliament, Deb Frecklington and Jarrod Bleijie. Pic Mark Cranitch.

JARROD BLEIJIE

Education, Industrial Relations

B

Won’t ever be popular among the public but Bleijie is the kind of shadow minister that every opposition needs. Relentless, cunning and experienced. Often outwits his opponents.

Toowoomba South LNP candidate David Janetzki

DAVID JANETZKI

Attorney-General, Justice

C+

Rapid rise after by-election victory in 2016. The former banker and lawyer has worked hard to learn the ropes and will be formidable in the not-too-distant future.

LNP Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Partnerships and Multicultural Affairs Steve MinnikinPICTURE: ANNA ROGERS

STEVE MINNIKIN

Transport, Main Roads

B-

Another LNP attack weapon who won’t relent. Has taken a couple of terms to find his feet in politics. Significantly enhanced the Opposition’s attacks in this problematic portfolio.

Burdekin MP Dale Last with Paul Young and Paul and Maria Frasson.

DALE LAST

Natural Resources, Mines

C-

Last might not be the least effective shadow minister but he has the ability to do better. With coal and land clearing in his portfolio, Last should have scored more hits.

Shadow LNP police minister, Trevor Watts talking tough on Crime in Cairns. Picture: PETER CARRUTHERS

TREVOR WATTS

Police, Counter Terrorism, Corrective Services

C-

With police a natural conservative portfolio, Watts should be demonstrating more energy. Should be doing better exposing resourcing problem and its impact on crime.

David Crisafulli .Pic Annette Dew

DAVID CRISAFULLI

Environment, Science, Tourism

B

Proving a real problem for a minister who is struggling in her portfolio. However, his talent is wasted in environment and he could be used better in an area more crucial for the LNP.

BCM 5.1.12 Tony Perrett, Deputy Mayor. Tony was acting Mayor during the floods and although he feels the towns initial response to the crisis was good the community has suffered alot in later months. Gympie one year on after the Mary River reached its peek in the towns CBD on the morning of the 11.1.11. Pic Megan Slade. Story Peter Hall.

TONY PERRETT

Agricultural, Fisheries Forestry

C

Doing a decent jobs engaging with regional Queensland. His task is critical for Frecklington if she is going to win back conservative voters jaded with the LNP.

Queensland State Parliament question time. Michael Hart Member for Burleigh (LNP).Thursday, November 1, 2018. (AAP Image/Richard Waugh)

MICHAEL HART

Housing, Public Works, Energy, Innovation, Digital Economy

C+

Has done better than most shadow ministers getting across his portfolio, particularly when it comes to energy. Skipping Parliament to holiday overseas affected his mark.

John Paul Langbroek has announced he will run for leadership of the LNP. Pictured at Surfers Paradise Beach. Pics Adam Head

JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK

Sport, Racing, Multicultural Affairs, Commonwealth Games

D+

Enthusiastic about the official opening of anything. But showing little enthusiasm for helping to get the LNP back into government. That’s reflected in the fun times portfolio he’s been given.

Liberal National Party's Opposition local government spokesperson Ann Leahy caught up with Deputy Mayor Katrina Spies and Mayor Joe Paronella when she swung by Tablelands Regional Council's Atherton office on Friday. David Anthony photo

ANN LEAHY

Local Government

D+

First time on the frontbench, Leahy remains on a steep learning curve. Should have been more prominent pushing issues with the Government’s go-slow approach to problematic councils.

Queensland Shadow Environment Minister Christian Rowan speaks to the media at Tingira Street boat ramp on the dangers of crocodiles in the Far North. Picture: BRENDAN RADKE

CHRISTIAN ROWAN

Communities, Disability Services, Seniors, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Arts

D

One of just four Brisbane LNP MPs, Rowan should be a more high-profile member. Needs to get over doctors brawling and concentrate on mainstream issues that appeal to urban punters.

News Courier Mail Bundaberg: 3.3.2017,Tim Nicholls on a visit to Bundaberg for meet & greets with, Local MP Stephen Bennett Photo: Paul Beutel

STEPHEN BENNETT

Child Safety, Youth, Domestic and Family Violence, Veterans

C-

A chat to Bates might help Bennett emulate some of the hits she got on the Government. Enthusiastic but not effective enough to keep the heat on Labor over child safety.

Land Clearing Debate. Lachlan Miller member for Gregory. PIC MARC ROBERTSON

LACHLAN MILLAR

Fire, Emergency Services, Volunteers

D

Could do with finding a fire truck to ride around in. Taking the Opposition shadow stipend, but hasn’t lit a fire or applied any heat to the Government in his portfolio.