George Brandis caught on open mike slamming LNP State Opposition

QUEENSLAND senator and Turnbull Government minister George Brandis has been caught out bagging the Tim Nicholls-led State Opposition and warning the LNP may split into two parties. SEE VIDEO

Attorney-General George Brandis has been caught in an open-mike moment.

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A SENIOR Turnbull Government minister has been caught out bagging the Tim Nicholls-led Queensland Opposition and warned the LNP may split into two parties.

Federal Attorney-General and Queensland senator George Brandis described the LNP Opposition as “very, very mediocre” while apparently unaware his microphone was turned on at a Victorian Liberal Party annual meeting.

Senator Brandis’ comments on Sunday to Victorian Liberal Party powerbroker Michael Kroger will further degrade relations between the Queensland LNP and the Turnbull Government.

In the extraordinary recording aired by Sky News, Mr Kroger asked Senator Brandis, “How are things in Queensland, how’s Tim Nicholls going?”

“They’re not very good... I’d say that the State Opposition is very, very mediocre, and the State Government is very, very mediocre, but the thing that is alarming everyone is, as you would expect, the sudden spike in One Nation which is now at about 16 per cent,” Senator Brandis responded.

“One Nation, as you know, their strength is in heartland National Party seats, and heartland Labor Party seats, the old industrial seats around Ipswich and western Brisbane.

“I think there is every reason to believe that they will win quite a few seats in the state election.”

A critic of the 2008 merger of the Liberals and Nationals, Senator Brandis warned the Palaszczuk Government’s introduction of compulsory preferential voting may force the parties apart.

“The Labor Party are bringing back compulsory preferential,” Senator Brandis said.

Mr Kroger responds with: “Oh, are they?”

“Yes they are, yes they are... which somewhat attacks the raison d’etre of the merger of the Liberal Party and National Party, I think there might be a revisiting of things as a result of compulsory preferential voting,” Senator Brandis responded.

“Well we prefer optional preferential,” Mr Kroger said.

In a statement this afternoon, Mr Nicholls said he strongly disagreed with Senator Brandis’ assessment of the Opposition.

“I lead a strong and effective Queensland Opposition which is holding to account an incompetent, do-nothing government with no plans for Queensland,” he said.

“We recognise concerns from voters who do not believe they are being heard.

“That’s why my team is on the ground, listening to Queenslanders across the state.”

LNP president Gary Spence said Senator Brandis’ comments were private but he did not support them.

“Tim Nicholls and the State LNP Opposition are a united and effective team, listening to the concerns of Queenslanders and developing comprehensive plans to get Queensland moving,” he said.