LNP bosses labelled ‘a disgrace’ as Jane Prentice punted from Ryan

THE LNP has been slammed by one of its own MPs as a “disgrace” for allowing Turnbull Government assistant minister Jane Prentice to be booted out of her seat in a preselection.

Jane Prentice has failed in her bid to be preselected for her own seat. Picture: Annette Dew

• COMMENT: It was brutal, but it was Jane Prentice’s fault
• Ryan MP Jane Prentice loses LNP preselection to Julian Simmonds

THE LNP has been slammed by one of its own MPs as a “disgrace” for allowing Turnbull Government assistant minister Jane Prentice to be booted out of her seat in a preselection.

Brisbane City councillor Julian Simmonds, who won party preselection for Ryan after challenging Ms Prentice, is facing calls by former Queensland premier Campbell Newman to immediately resign from the council.

It is understood Ms Prentice will not appeal the vote, which she lost convincingly.

She has ruled out running as an independent and has told associates she is committed to the LNP.

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the party already had a shortage of women and it was a terrible look to boot out a senior female MP.

“I think it’s a bloody disgrace and I think the LNP will pay a price for that,” Mr Entsch said.

“Jane is a bloody good worker, very capable, very competent ... and this is how she is repaid.

“The fact LNP headquarters thought it was OK to sit back and allow her to be crucified in this way says a lot about them and the leadership.

“To come in there and work the numbers, and not be discouraged by party leadership, it’s just reverting back to the good old boys club, and I think it’s very disappointing.”

Cr Julian Simmonds has won preselection in the federal seat of Ryan. He is pictured here with his wife Madeline and 10-month-old son Theodore. Picture: AAP Image/Renae Droop

Gold Coast MP Karen Andrews said the outcome was “very disappointing” and MPs needed to do more to encourage women to join the party and run for seats.

Mr Newman, a former Brisbane lord mayor, said he believed Cr Simmonds should now resign from council.

St Lucia Community Association president James McKay is tipped to replace Cr Simmonds on Brisbane City Council.

- with Sarah Vogler