LNP state conference: Lawrence Springborg elected new LNP president

To a standing ovation at the LNP state conference, Lawrence Springborg has been crowned the LNP’s new president as parliamentary leader David Crisafulli called for “unity not vengeance”.

Lawrence Springborg has been elected the LNP’s new president, as leader David Crisafulli declared the “start of our new tomorrow” at the LNP state conference.

The almost unanimous vote for the father of the LNP was met with rapturous applause, with one insider describing Mr Springborg’s short speech before the ballot as being humble.

Mr Springborg received a standing ovation.

Lawrence Springborg during the LNP State Conference held in South Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Gosling

It was a two-man race with Timothy Wright having also run.

Mr Springborg’s election comes after acting president Cynthia Hardy made an 11th hour decision to not recontest her post, informing members via email last night.

She wrote that there was a “strong mood for change and the need for unity”.

“And with respect for that mood for change I am writing to inform you that I will not be contesting the ballot for president tomorrow,” the email said.

Deb Frecklington attended the conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Gosling

Senior members had on Friday suggested Ms Hardy “read the room” and avoid an embarrassing defeat.

It’s understood Mr Springborg paid tribute to Ms Hardy in his speech.

Senior party members said they were very happy with the result.

Former Brisbane City Councillor Amanda Cooper has been elected Vice President.

Ms Cooper ran in the seat of Aspley at last year’s state election.

Natalie Marr, who ran in Thuringowa at last year’s state election, has been elected regional vice president.

Amanda Cooper has been elected Vice President. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Gosling

Although the vote was closed to the media, News Corp can reveal the contents of Mr Springborg’s short speech ahead of the vote.

In it, he said the party should remember that both the parliamentary and executive wings of the party existed for the members.

“We are nothing without our membership and we should never, ever, ever lose sight of that,” he told the room.

He said during his time in public office and travelling through the state, he had always valued the membership.

“The State Executive is not the parliamentary party, and the parliamentary party is not the state executive,” he said.

“They have separate roles and should stay separate but they should work together to serve the membership because it is about the membership and their aspirations and that is a very, very key thing and that’s the style of leadership that I would bring.”

Newly-elected LNP president Lawrence Springborg and Peter Dutton chat during the LNP State Conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Gosling

He said 13 years ago he had stood before the membership to ask it to bring the parties together and form the LNP.

“Today I stand before you and ask for your support and endorsement to be your president, to work with the members, to work with the membership … to bring us together, to serve your interests,” he said.

Meanwhile, Crisafulli‘s speech drew on the memory of the LNP’s historic amalgamation 13 years ago – orchestrated by Springborg – to call for party unity and “the start of our new tomorrow”.

As members celebrated the election of the beloved veteran to the president’s role, the parliamentary leader addressed the LNP state conference to declare now was the time to be “driven by unity, not vengeance” and to put arguments about “personalities” in the past.

“Thirteen years ago, our predecessors knew that for the sake of Queenslanders the centre-right polity had to reform and unite,” he said.

“So I set this challenge for our party today: From this weekend onwards, let us keep faith with the promise of unity and dedication to Queensland that premised the formation of the LNP.”

Senator Ron Boswell during the LNP State Conference held in South Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Gosling

He said the LNP should have its arguments.

“But they should be arguments about ideas, not personalities,” he said.

“The leadership, including me, should not be exempt from criticism, but it must be in here and lead to better policies not belligerent politics.

“I give you this commitment today – I will continue to front up to party meetings across the state to hear your arguments and to hear your criticisms.

“I realise we won’t always agree but I can guarantee you we will always have discussions based on respect.”

Mr Crisafulli paid tribute to the four past presidents of the LNP who had all been “characterised by a relentless drive to see the LNP succeed”.

“While each of them has made decisions we haven’t always agreed with, they have all made incredible sacrifices in our name and we as a party should be thankful for their commitment,” he said.

“Through victories and defeats, good decisions and bad, they have built up a wealth of knowledge critical to the long-term success of our party.

“We are all better for their contribution.”

David Crisafulli addresses the crowd at the LNP State Conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Gosling

Foreshadowing the results of the McArdle Scarr review of last year’s state election loss, Mr Crisafulli said it reflected the membership’s desire for reform.

“My plea to this room, and to the administrative arm of the party, is do not waste this opportunity,” he said.

“Instead, let us grasp it with both hands and implement this blueprint for reform and show all that took the time to take part in this process that we are a party willing to learn from the experiences of our membership.

“Let us create an environment which attracts candidates with a breadth of experience and backgrounds.”

He said the party needed new structures to allow branches to preselect candidates earlier so they could campaign earlier.

“Let us all commit to using the vast amount of know-how that exists in our party and the community to develop a policy platform which we can proudly present to the people of Queensland,” he added.

He also talked about needing to change the public’s perception of the party and “explain to Queenslanders who we are and, most importantly, what we can achieve for them”.

He said the conservative parties had a hard-earned reputation for being responsible economic managers but it “sometimes gives the impression that we are devoted to the bottom line rather than people”.

It was important to explain how managing the economy well improved the lives of people, he said.

Mr Crisafulli said it was a “great frustration” of his that some saw the party as one for big business, instead of for small and family business.

He said the belief was “counterintuitive” because he was “someone who is unashamedly dedicated to creating a better life for the people I serve and protecting individuals from the excessive power of large organisations, both corporate and government”.