An insurgent faction of LNP members dealt significant blow

The LNP headquarters have been in the firing line amid a push from a former factional warlord turned lobbyist which sparked a boisterous branch meeting just months out from the election.

An insurgent faction of LNP members attempting to seize control of party headquarters months out from the state election have been dealt a significant blow after losing a crucial ballot.

The latest chapter in the Queensland LNP’s explosive internal rift has been deemed a “thumping endorsement” of Opposition Leader David Crisafulli’s race to win government in October, and hopes it has stalled the momentum of agitators.

LNP headquarters has been in the firing line amid a push by one-time factional warlord and ex-Howard government minister turned veteran lobbyist Santo Santoro which sparked a boisterous branch meeting last week.

Veteran lobbyist Santo Santoro.

Mr Santoro was ultimately deemed ineligible in the race to secure a seat on the powerful state executive under legal advice sought by LNP state director, due to Queensland laws banning lobbyists playing a “substantial” role in campaigns on top of existing party rules.

But supporters of Mr Santoro believe the LNP’s top brass are not out of the woods and that there is still an argument to be had over the interpretation of the laws and the way the vote was handled.

They say their crusade is about sending a message that members are dissatisfied with the way things are being done. Mr Santoro is understood to be weighing up his legal options.

His backers were set to lob another offensive at headquarters at a branch meeting on Monday night to install Lorraine Hardgrave - wife of ex-Howard government minister Gary - to state executive.

Former Brisbane councillor Peter Matic.

But members - in a meeting attended by nearly 300 people - voted instead for former Brisbane City Councillor Peter Matic.

An LNP source described Mr Matic’s victory as “a thumping endorsement of David Crisafulli’s bid to become Premier in October” and a call for stability ahead of our party convention in July.

“Party members have delivered a strong verdict against the factional antics from the forces of self-interest, and subsequent media s**tstorm it has created thanks to the action of a noisy few,” they said.

“They have given the LNP executive a strong representative for the Metro West region and told party headquarters to get on with the job as the polls increasing show that Queenslanders are preparing to vote for David Crisafulli.”

The LNP’s state executive, which includes Mr Crisafulli and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, are due to meet on Friday.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli on Monday dismissed the rift as “toing and froing”. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Riley, in a weekend email, had called on supporters to be “responsible for the high standards that come with earning the trust of Queenslanders and forming government”.

“As a party the LNP must demonstrate to Queenslanders, through our actions, that we conduct our internal affairs with complete integrity,” Mr Riley said.

“The LNP upholds the highest standards of governance and restoring integrity to Queensland is at the heart of all we do as we fight to form government at the October election.”