Tim Nicholls’ five priorities, six key drivers, four-point plan to lead

UPDATE: Queensland Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls is further distancing himself from Campbell Newman, after a scathing attack by the former LNP premier.

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QUEENSLAND Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls is further distancing himself from Campbell Newman, after a scathing attack by the former LNP premier.

As reported by The Courier-Mail, Mr Newman took a swipe at his former treasurer on Twitter on Tuesday night, accusing Mr Nicholls of being the one “who drove asset sales and cuts” in his government.

If @TimNichollsMP had no role in the policies of my govt (yeh right !) what are his policies now and how do they differ ? #qldpol

— Campbell Newman (@CampbellNewman) March 7, 2017

The former premier also challenged Mr Nicholls to explain how his policies differed to his own, given his claimed to have played “no role”.

The attack followed the Liberal National Party leader’s impassioned speech to the Queensland Media Club earlier in the day, when he made the case as to why voters should put their faith in him at the next election.

Mr Nicholls responded to his former boss on Wednesday by saying he was a “very different person from Campbell”.

“I made it quite clear I was a part of that government and I accept responsibility for my role in that government,” he told ABC radio on Wednesday.

Leaders take responsibility for hard decisions that have to be made-I did. Time for@TimNichollsMP who drove asset sales & cuts #qldpol

— Campbell Newman (@CampbellNewman) March 7, 2017

“I apologise to Queenslanders for not taking them with us.”

Mr Nicholls reiterated comments made during his speech that he and his colleagues had “learnt a very hard lesson” after losing government in 2015 after just one term.

Mr Nicholls, who once referred to Mr Newman as a good friend, declined to say whether their relationship had soured.

But he did say “friendships change over time” and the pair saw each other on occasions.

“We have differences of opinion as all people do,” he said.

“I speak to him on occasion.

“My job is to make sure I deliver for the people of Queensland.”

OVERNIGHT: NEWMAN TAKES AIM AT NICHOLLS

FORMER Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has struck out at his onetime Treasurer Tim Nicholls after he sought to distance himself from the decisions made under the previous LNP government.

In a series of tweets, Mr Newman called into question Mr Nicholls’ ability to lead the state and his version of events on asset sales and cuts.

“Leaders take responsibility for hard decisions that have to be made – I did,” Mr Newman said.

“Time for Tim Nicholls who drove asset sales & cuts.”

The former Premier also suggested that the current Opposition Leader played a larger role in the policies he was now trying to distance himself from.

“If Tim Nicholls had no role in the policies of my govt (yeh right !) what are his policies now and how do they differ?” Mr Newman said.

The tweets come after Mr Nicholls made his case for being the state’s next premier, saying he is “ready to lead”.

Speaking at a Queensland Media Club lunch today, Mr Nicholls outlined his vision for the state under the Liberal National Party, including his five key priorities, six key drivers, and a four-point plan.

The priorities include more jobs and safer communities, the drivers include tourism, education and construction, and the four-point plan involves grants and initiatives to get young Queenslanders back to work, especially in regional parts of the state.

Qlds six drivers are:
•Tourism
•Resources
•Agriculture
•Construction & Manufacturing
•Education
•Services, Science & Technology #QMCNicholls

— Tim Nicholls MP (@TimNichollsMP) March 7, 2017

Mr Nicholls said his party stood for “hope” as he distanced himself from his time as treasurer under the previous Newman LNP government.

“In moving quickly we (the previous Newman government) failed to take Queenslanders with us, and I acknowledge that we broke the trust of Queenslanders, and for that I am sorry,” said the LNP leader, who also took aim at the minority Labor government for a lack of leadership.

Mr Nicholls said he has “learnt his lesson” on asset sales, but he stopped short of ruling them out completely if elected again.

“We have to, and we will, live within the means granted to us by the people of Queensland.”

Qld is a state of enormous potential - in natural resources granted by nature, our location/climate & our hardworking people. #QMCNicholls pic.twitter.com/bPTE1CxrGK

— Tim Nicholls MP (@TimNichollsMP) March 7, 2017

Mr Nicholls also again ruled out forming a coalition with One Nation, saying he was aiming for a majority government, and urged voters to vote that way at the polls.

“I am aiming to get 47-plus seats ... because that’s the only way you’re able to deliver the outcomes that will deliver a better Queensland,” he said.

The next state election is due by early 2018, but is widely expected to be called in the second half of this year.