One Nation to seek Cabinet spots in hung Queensland Parliament: Campbell Newman

FIRST he predicted One Nation would hold the balance of power in the next Queensland Parliament. Now Campbell Newman has gone a step further.

Former premier Campbell Newman has predicted a ‘Trump effect’ for One Nation in Queensland.

• Newman predicts coalition with One Nation
• Newman meets with One Nation powerbroker
• Beattie explains how to deal with Hanson
• Hanson’s coalition of the controversial

AFTER meeting Pauline Hanson’s right-hand man James Ashby at a riverside office yesterday, former premier Campbell Newman believes the party will demand Cabinet positions if it secures the balance of power at the next state election.

Mr Newman confirmed the meeting with Mr Ashby took place at Waterfront Place yesterday morning, downplaying its significance but refusing to say if Ms Hanson was present.

Mr Newman said he was willing to meet with any political party about their plans for Queensland. “The ones who seem to want to talk to me at the moment are One Nation.”

Mr Newman, who has previously predicted One Nation will hold the key to forming government after the next election, said the party would demand its own ministers in exchange for support.

“The next government is going to be needing the support of One Nation to govern and my humble opinion – and I’m not going to reveal confidences – is that I think that the price for One Nation support will be power,” he said.

“They will be asking for ministerial positions.”

Pauline Hanson has been elected to the Senate, and Campbell Newman believes her One Nation party is just getting started.

Mr Newman said he expected One Nation to win six seats – three off each major party. “Bundaberg is under significant threat to them (Labor),” he said.

“The Labor Party are going to lose two seats in north Queensland.

“What about the LNP then? Well Lockyer is in play with the departure of Ian Rickuss and you would think that again there’s a range of seats that you could pick that could go.”

Mr Newman predicted an LNP minority government with One Nation support, during a Sky News show he hosted with another former premier Peter Beattie on Monday.

Labor has said it will not do any preference deals with One Nation.

But the LNP has not ruled out putting the resurgent party ahead of Labor on its how-to-vote cards.