Former Brisbane City Councillor Amanda Cooper in running to be Springborg’s VP

Amanda Cooper is expected to throw her hat in the ring for LNP vice president, in a move that’s been welcomed by party members.

Former Brisbane City Councillor Amanda Cooper is expected to throw her hat in the ring for LNP vice president, in a move that’s been welcomed by party members.

Ms Cooper, who also ran in the seat of Aspley at last year’s state election, is understood to be backing former LNP Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg for president.

A source said Ms Cooper, who represented the Bracken Ridge Ward between 2007 and 2019, understood better than most the “failings” of the last state campaign.

“Amanda is a brilliant candidate and has a proven track record of running and winning in areas that aren’t traditionally conservative electorates,” they said.

“She cuts through and works hard.

“She’s exactly what the LNP need at the leadership level.”

Former Brisbane city councillor Amanda Cooper. Photo: Annette Dew

Meanwhile regional vice president Cam O’Neil will retire after spending five years in the role.

The party would not provide an official response this week when asked if acting president Cynthia Hardy would contest her role, but it is rumoured that she will.

Ms Hardy refused to say in July whether she would run after Mr Springborg confirmed he would, ending months of speculation.

“When elected by State Executive to serve as acting president I said that my communication with membership would be with them directly,” she said at the time.

It comes as one source dubbed the recent Young LNP Convention as a “festival of Lawrence”, where a bottle of wine signed by Mr Springborg was auctioned off for $500.

“He (Springborg) spent most of the weekend at the convention and dinner, just talking to young members,” they said.

“They made him Patron of the movement and he got overwhelming applause every time he was mentioned – it was a festival of Lawrence.”

Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm and federal government Minister David Littleproud were also named as patrons.