Former Qld Premier Campbell Newman sensationally resigns from LNP

Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman has sensationally announced he is resigning as a member of the LNP - but it’s not the end of his political career.

Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman has sensationally resigned from the LNP and is understood to be considering making a return to politics at the federal level.

Mr Newman declared that he was dismayed by the “political wing” of the party, in a letter of resignation he sent on Sunday to LNP state director Tony Eyres.

The Courier-Mail understands the former Premier and Brisbane Lord Mayor is now considering making a comeback to politics at the federal level.

“It’s with considerable sadness, and a deep sense of regret, that I tender my resignation as a Trustee and a member of the LNP,” Mr Newman wrote in his letter of resignation.

“Whilst I have unwavering admiration for the passion, commitment and dedication of the rank and file members of the party I am dismayed that the political wing fail to represent and indeed stand up for our values.

Campbell Newman. Picture: Mark Cranitch

“I find that I cannot reconcile the way that they are undertaking their responsibilities with our stated commitment to fiscal responsibility, smaller government, support for small business, the elimination of red tape and the defence of free speech and liberty.”

Mr Newman wrote that the “last straw” for him was the “destruction of peoples livelihoods and freedoms” under the government’s response to Covid-19 across the country.

“I’d like to express my appreciation to all members of the party for their hard work, support and encouragement over the past twenty years in Queensland and to those Liberal Party members who supported my late parents from when they joined the party in 1975,” he wrote.

Mr Newman’s wife, Lisa, also tendered her resignation from the party on Sunday in another letter to Mr Eyres.

“Frankly, I feel that our political representatives don’t reflect the values of the party that I joined almost twenty years ago and are not serving us well,” Ms Newman wrote.

“Cam and I have been privileged to receive terrific support from the men and women of the party over the years and I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart.

“It is very difficult to say goodbye.”

Mr Newman led the LNP to victory at the 2012 state election, sweeping Anna Bligh’s Labor government from power – before leading the state for three years as Queensland’s premier.

Prior to that, he led the Liberal party and the LNP at a local government level as the Lord Mayor of Brisbane for two terms.

LNP state director Tony Eyres issued a statement wishing Mr Newman “all the best in his new direction”.

“On the weekend the grassroots members and the parliamentary team of the LNP made a clear decision to chart a new path of unity, laying a strong platform for the party’s future and in turn the future of Queensland,” he said.

“The LNP thanks Mr and Mrs Newman for their service.”