LNP leader Tim Nicholls slaps down Campbell Newman’s style

LNP leader Tim Nicholls has opened the door to taking a small-scale privatisation plan to the next state election while slapping down former premier Campbell Newman over his aggressive leadership style.

Tim Nichols at State Parliament Question Time. Pic Annette Dew

LNP leader Tim Nicholls has opened the door to taking a small-scale privatisation plan to the next state election while slapping down former premier Campbell Newman over his aggressive leadership style.

Following comments from Mr Newman that the LNP should revisit its so-called Strong Choices policy, the Opposition Leader today ruled out a adopting a similar plan.

“We took a plan to the people of Queensland at the last election and the people of Queensland rejected that plan,”

“We won’t be revisiting it.

“Nor will we be revisiting the style of government that ended 2015.”

However, Mr Nicholls said the LNP was working “night and day” on policies and did not rule out a smaller version of Strong Choices.

“What we can say, and what I have said, is that the previous policy involving as it did that large-scale leasing of assets has been rejected by the people of Queensland,” he said.

“We won’t be revisiting that policy.

“What we will be doing is working on policies for the future that are about generating jobs and employment for Queenslanders to get the state moving again.”

Asked whether Mr Newman’s commentary was helpful or unhelpful, Mr Nicholls said he was ambivalent towards the former premier’s opinions.

“Mr Newman is entitled to his opinions,” he said.

“I don’t have much of a thought on them one way or the other.”

It comes after Treasurer Curtis Pitt ruled out Labor revisiting asset sales – even in the event of another global financial meltdown.

“The position of the Palaszczuk Government is that we would not sell income-generating assets,” he said.

“Those assets…are returning on average $2 billion-a-year to the Queensland people so that we can provide services including health, education and of course building our capital program.”

Mr Pitt conceded he previous supported privatisation while a minister in the Bligh government but insisted he’d changed positions.

“I am big enough and ugly enough to certainly admit when we have had a change in Queensland,” he said.

Electrical Trades Union state secretary Peter Simpson, who led the fight again both Labor and the LNP’s privatisation plans, promised to fight any asset sales.

Mr Simpson said the Opposition Leader seems to have convinced himself that he could succeed where Mr Newman and Anna Bligh failed.

“Tim Nicholls as a politician is a one-trick pony - the only solution to any political hurdle he is faced with is to sell off public assets,” Mr Simpson said.

“But that’s why the LNP elected Mr Strong Choices himself to be leader.

“It is in the LNP’s DNA to sell off public assets and they believe Mr Nicholls is the one to finally do it.”