LNP dumps ‘plonker’ MP Peter Dowling after scandals

PLONKER MP Peter Dowling has been dramatically dumped by the LNP, more than 12 months after his international sexting scandal.

PLONKER MP Peter Dowling has been dramatically dumped by the LNP, more than 12 months after his international sexting scandal.

Local branch members voted today to end the two-term political career of Mr Dowling, just days after he narrowly avoided being axed by the LNP executive.

READ MORE: ‘Plonker” MP in online sex trouble

The outcome surprised many Newman Government insiders, who believed rank-and-file members would rally around Mr Dowling despite his plonking and porn scandals.

Mr Dowling was forced to resign as chair of Parliament’s Ethics Committee after it was revealed his secret mistress had lodged a detailed complaint with Speaker Fiona Simpson.

The MP took multiple close-up pictures of his penis and sent them to the woman, including one of it plonked in a glass of wine.

The pair also went on Parliamentary travel trips to New Zealand and Perth and received a lucrative first-class flight upgrade during a personal holiday.

Mr Dowling survived being dumped by the executive following a passionate speech during which he cited other salacious scandals, including famed former FBI director J Hedger Hoover and US president Bill Clinton.

However, Moggill MP Bruce Flegg was axed for covertly recording colleagues.

Bruce Flegg was axed earlier this month over recordings. Pic: Jono Searle

A shattered Mr Dowling, who emerged from the meeting arm-in-arm with wife Helen, would not say whether he would seek to reapply for his position.

“I have just been declined, so how about I go home and have a no comment and enjoy a quiet, eh, actually I have a function tonight so I’ll go out and attend the business awards as the LNP member for Redlands,’’ he said.

Mr Dowling ruled out running as an Independent and avoided questions about whether he regretted his actions.

“I am an effective member for Redlands and I have the support of the

LNP team and I will continue to do that role until the next election,’’ he said.

Mrs Dowling said she was “fine” with the decision and loved her husband.

“There would be very few people here that actually could say they are

perfect,’’ she said.

“He may not be perfect, but he is effective.”

IT Minister Ian Walker, who attended the meeting on Premier Campbell

Newman’s behalf, described it as “Saturday Redland Bay democracy day”.

“It is quite appropriate that the local people make this decision and

that’s exactly what’s happened,’’ he said.

LNP president Bruce McIver indicated the party state executive may

reject Mr Dowling’s nomination if he attempted to reapply.

“The membership have made a call here today on this particular member,

on this particular set of issues and I’d say state executive would

have to take that into consideration if Mr Dowling chose to reapply,’’

he said.