Who is likely to replace Andrew Laming in Bowman

Early candidates are already shaping up to replace embattled MP Andrew Laming in Bowman. Here’s who the LNP is likely to run.

Candidates have already begun lining up to replace embattled southeast Queensland federal MP Andrew Laming, as the LNP executive last night reopened nominations for his seat of Bowman.

Dr Laming is on medical leave from Parliament as he seeks empathy counselling and announced he would not contest the next election, after a series of allegations against him regarding inappropriate behaviour.

Nominations had already closed for Bowman, with businesswoman Fran Ward the only candidate other than Dr Laming.

Fran Ward is expected to be nominating for LNP preselection in the seat of Bowman.

But three candidates were already lining up should the nominations be reopened, Ms Ward, Henry Pike and barrister Margaret Forrest.

As the LNPs legal adviser and the second highest ranking woman in the organisation branch after President Cynthia Hardy, Ms Forrest was shaping up as an early favourite.

But Mr Pike, the Property Council of Australia’s director of media and communications, is a local and had previously run as the LNP’s candidate for Redlands in the 2020 state election campaign, and is expected to have strong local support.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is said to be backing a “strong female candidate” to run in the seat.

Despite not being part of the Queensland LNP, Mr Morrison is able to send a nominee or proxy to take part in the preselection in his stead.

Henry Pike is expected to be nominating for LNP preselection in the seat of Bowman.

On the weekend an LNP spokesman said Dr Laming’s actions did not meet the “standards required of LNP members”, but that he “intends to serve out this term of parliament”.

Queensland Police this week confirmed a 29-year-old woman had lodged a complaint regarding an incident in 2019, relating to an alleged inappropriate photograph taken by Dr Laming, and that detectives were investigating.