LNP will use record win to push for coal

Queensland propelled Scott Morrison to victory, now its Liberal National MPs expect to be rewarded with seats at the Cabinet table — and another big infrastructure project.

AN EMBOLDENED Queensland LNP team will use its growing numbers and influence to push for a “job creating” coal-fired power station to be built in north Queensland.

There is also talk that Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry, who was returned with the second biggest swing in the state, should be promoted from assistant minister to minster amid the looming reshuffle.

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Luke Howarth, Amanda Stoker and Ted O’Brien’s names are also in the mix for positions.

Michelle Landry is being talked about for a possible promotion to minister. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

It’s understood Prime Minister Scott Morrison is aware of Mr Howarth’s desire to serve in a more senior capacity.

The LNP have delivered 23 seats to the Coalition, increasing its hold on the state by two electorates.

Northern MPs are saying the Queensland result had given a mandate for the green light to be given to commissioning the Collinsville clean coal-fired power station to be built.

But it is not a united front, with some city-based MPs understood to be reticent to get on board.

The Collinsville power station was one of 12 projects identified by the Mr Morrison in March to be part of a study into energy projects the projects the government could underwrite to improve reliability.

Resources and Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan will push for the Collinsville power station, saying work should begin on the business case as a “key priority” of the re-elected Morrison Government.

“We’ve made great progress towards a coal-fired power station,” he said.

“It will be a key priority for me to progress the study we have commissioned and working up a business case for the Collinsville station.”

He said it would create about 2000 jobs in construction and up to 600 long-term jobs when operational.

Member for Dawson George Christensen said the results in Herbert, Dawson, Capricornia and Flynn were testament that people wanted the government to back coal and leverage it for jobs and cheaper power.

LNP George Christensen says the LNPs strong election result in Queensland gives it a mandate to demand a coal-fired power station to be underwritten in Collinsville. Picture: Daryl Wright

“There is a very strong impetus to be backed by the mandate from the people of central and northern Queensland to get funding flowing to deliver on a coal-fired power station for northern Queensland,” he said.

The earliest the reshuffle will happen is the weekend, but it could be as late as next week.

The final number of Liberal and Nationals MPs and senators needs to be known before it can be finalised, as the split will determine how many of each are on the front bench.