Campbell Newman announces Senate run with Liberal Democrat party at next Federal election

Campbell Newman has taken a swipe at Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he announced he will run for the Senate with the Liberal Democrat party at the next Federal election.

Former Premier Campbell Newman will run for the Senate with the Liberal Democrat party at the next Federal election, finalising his dramatic split from the LNP.

As flagged by The Courier-Mail, Mr Newman had been in talks with the minor party for some weeks prior quitting the LNP two weeks ago.

In a statement released on Sunday, Mr Newman accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of running a “very illiberal big government” during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Campbell Newman with his wife Lisa announces he will run for the Senate with the Liberal Democrat party at the next Federal election. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Making the announcement from his Brisbane home, Mr Newman said Australia was being “poorly managed during the crisis”.

“Scott Morrison has, sadly, let us down with very illiberal big government over reach,” he said.

“Anthony Albanese represents outdated socialism that will saddle our kids with huge debt and destroy our culture with woke nonsense and red tape.”

He said he had declared his political career over six years ago but had changed his mind.

“I want to represent Queensland in the Senate and hold the major parties’ feet to the fire because right now they are letting us all down.”

LNP Leader Crisafulli said his party had chosen a “strong and united” direction to go in, and Mr Newman had chosen a different one.

“I don’t wish him any ill,” he said.

Liberal Democrats national president John Humphreys said Mr Newman remained popular despite “relentless attacks from Labor” and “little defence” from the LNP.

“He remains extremely popular with a large proportion of the community who appreciate his “can do” attitude, the achievements of his years in government and his commitment to traditional Aussie values and real leadership,” he said.

Dr Humphreys previously told The Courier-Mail that while the LDP had opposed the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) laws implemented by Mr Newman while Premier, Covid-19 lockdowns and debt “dwarfed” other issues.

“There’s no two humans alive that agree on everything, the issue is the percentage of overlap” he said.

“That was 10 years in the past and I think the big fight at the moment is the reaction to Covid.”