David Crisafulli responds to former premier Campbell Newman’s extraordinary attack

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has resisted the urge to hit back at former party leader Campbell Newman following a searing attack, saying he won’t start wishing him harm.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli deflected criticism of his leadership following an extraordinary attack from his party’s most recent Queensland premier.

In an exclusive interview with The Courier-Mail, divisive former LNP leader Campbell Newman urged the current Opposition Leader to “stand up and speak up and be straight” with Queenslanders about the party’s policies.

Mr Newman said the party risks another defeat to the Palaszczuk government in next year’s state election because they “haven’t done their job effectively in taking the fight to Labor”.

But Mr Crisafulli dismissed the remarks given Mr Campbell had since joined the Liberal Democrat party during his failed bid to join the senate at last year’s federal election.

Then premier Campbell Newman and David Crisafulli in January 2014. Pictures: Wesley Monts

The Opposition Leader also insisted the party had reformed under his leadership following the humbling defeat in 2020.

“I have never criticised or wished him any harm – we won’t start now,” he said.

“I’m determined to bring about change.”

The LNP has overtaken Labor on a two-party-preferred basis 51-49, according to a recent YouGov poll, but the party leader’s continued reluctance to reveal his position on the Voice to Parliament remains a contentious issue.

On Monday morning, Mr Crisafulli was pressed by reporters who said Mr Newman’s comments about his hesitancy to take a stance on issues was consistent with criticism from his Labor rivals.

But the Opposition Leader refused to budge, instead saying “my focus is to make sure that I lead a united and disciplined team, and even my harshest critics will acknowledge that”.

Treasurer Cameron Dick. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Campbell

Yet he again refused to reveal his position on the Voice as MPs prepare to vote on path to treaty legislation during a special parliamentary sitting in Cairns this week.

“I am considering my position and I‘m doing it in a respectful way,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“I am determined to listen far and wide.

“I‘m waiting for the parliamentary committee to report back – I think that makes sense.

“I just want the debate to be respectful, civil, and for people to be considered.”

Treasurer Cameron Dick lunged at the comments made by Mr Newman as an opportunity to recycle attack lines about the previous LNP state government’s controversial cutting of the public service.

“I was interested to read today in the paper some more comments about Campbell Newman,” he said.

“It‘s about time that David Crisafulli, the Leader of the Opposition, was open and honest with the people of Queensland about his plan.”