QLD MPs do best when they’re fighting for us

As usual, Queenslanders are causing a stir within their own ranks in federal politics but that’s because generally we call bulls--t earlier, don’t sulk into the background and are willing to take a personal hit for the greater good, writes Renee Viellaris.

THE Prime Minister’s astute proclamation on election night, “How good is Queensland?” is now being used to mock.

“Not good enough”, is how some of the 28 LNP parliamentarians now say as tensions between the Prime Minister’s Office and Victorians start to rise.

‘THIS IS F**KED’: CANAVAN AND PM BRAWL

With Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership now a distant memory (or, depending who is relaying their insight, an enduring nightmare), a perennial issue has arisen that the Government’s leadership team is again tone deaf to Queenslanders.

What is starting to grate on Queenslanders in Canberra is the misunderstanding by some within the Government about One Nation and its traction in the state, untidiness with how Victorian federal Nationals have handled the dairy code of conduct and drought, the leadership’s position on coal (it was clearly a vote winner in large swathes in Queensland but appears to have become a “sensitive” issue once again) and Morrison’s leadership style (which some view as arrogant while others concede it’s the first time in a decade there has been a proper Cabinet process).

On the flip side, those in positions of power accuse Queenslanders of being impatient, having a chip on their shoulder, ideological and too willing to go to war too quickly.

Lazy commentary and predictable politicking confuse fighting for infighting.

Like the Nationals more broadly, Queenslanders do best when they are fighting for what they believe is right for their regions and their state.

Queensland – rightly or wrongly – gets fewer ministers in the Cabinet room, yet gets wins on policy fronts.

Part of it is because the Coalition cannot ignore the strength in numbers (in this current Parliament the LNP has 23 Lower House seats and six senators). The other reason is because Queenslanders are willing to put it all on the line, step into a political suicide vest and press the button.

It is not about personality but a Queensland trait. Federal politicians from this state generally call bulls--t earlier, don’t sulk into the background and are willing to take a personal hit for the greater good.

This current Parliament is no different to the rest.

RESOURCES MINISTER MATT CANAVAN

Federal Minister for Resources Matt Canavan. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

Privately, some Federal MPs concede that the election result was partly won because of Canavan’s dogged determination in supporting the mining industry – a position that killed Labor. Canavan understands his region and refuses to be bullied by the Victorian vipers.

Canavan had an almighty blue with Morrison about how then environment minister Melissa Price was handling the Adani issue and as revealed today, Canavan has had another blow-up with the PM over Government support for a feasibility study into a new coal-fired generator at Collinsville. Canavan strongly believes the region wants it and needs it but more importantly that voters believed it would be delivered under a Coalition Government.

What makes Canavan so effective and dangerous is that he would have no problem throwing his Cabinet position in to go to the backbench so he could say what he really thought. That’s a dangerous position for any Prime Minister.

CAPRICORNIA MP MICHELLE LANDRY

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Landry was next in line last week after Canavan gave the PM his views on the Collinsville project. Landry was more demure but has no problem charging in or making her views known if it is in the interests of her electorate. Landry was the first to call out Turnbull’s leadership style – “wishy-washy”.

PETRIE MP LUKE HOWARTH

Despite being mild-mannered, Howarth was a driving force behind the push to get rid of Turnbull and is one of the first to give frank feedback to the PM’s office about announcements.

FAIRFAX MP TED O’BRIEN

Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien.

They call him Super Ted in the party for running Team Queensland and pushing to get more deals for the state. But O’Brien was not having a bar of it when it came to a preference deal between the LNP and Clive Palmer. While other MPs fell into line with a preference deal with Palmer candidates at number 2, O’Brien refused, citing his electorate would not cop it.

WIDE BAY MP LLEW O’BRIEN AND DAWSON MP GEORGE CHRISTENSEN

These two are not bullied into submission like others in Parliament and if it wasn’t for them there would not have been a banking royal commission. They would have crossed the floor for one.

And O’Brien was the driving force into pushing the Government into proceeding with a plan for a federal independent crime oversight body. Earlier this month he revealed he was planning to spill the Nationals deputy leadership, because he was so incensed over how a dairy code of conduct was being managed.

DICKSON MP PETER DUTTON

Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton looks at Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Dutton is the most senior Queenslander in Canberra. Not much happens within the LNP without Dutton knowing about it. Many MPs seek out his advice, wanting to know how Dutton will view this issue.

History is important here.

The Coalition’s now longstanding principle about debt and spending was really driven by three MPs after the then Rudd government in 2009 announced the $2.7 billion home insulation program.

Dutton, Morrison and Greg Hunt really drove the Opposition to reach its policy position. They had no idea that it would lead to deaths and rorts but viewed it was too much money to spend during a panicked response to the GFC.

And apart from Dutton having the gumption to challenge Turnbull, Dutton is underrated by too many in his party and in Labor. His political instincts have kept him in his marginal seat for 17 years and he understands what Queenslanders need and want.

LEICHHARDT MP WARREN ENTSCH AND BRISBANE MP TREVOR EVANS

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch.

Brisbane MP Trevor Evans.

Both supported gay marriage when it wasn’t popular. If it wasn’t for them (and Dutton, who pushed for a plebiscite), Coalition MPs may still be knifing each other over the issue.

HINKLER MP KEITH PITT

Not an ideologue but a fighter on policy. He is leading a debate on nuclear when many told him not to.

SENATOR JAMES MCGRATH

McGrath was put in the freezer by Turnbull when he delivered him some brutal news about his campaigning in Queensland.

McGrath is again on the outer but continues to push for what he believes Queensland needs. Outraged by the go-slow on Adani – and made it known to those in power they were being politically pathetic – McGrath is now not holding back on the Collinsville issue.