LNP state director’s integrity warning after backroom power play

A turbulent week at Queensland LNP headquarters that included a 300-strong meeting and a protest vote against a key power player has resulted in a warning over integrity just months out from the state election.

The top brass of Queensland’s LNP has warned an explosive rift centred on a one-time LNP factional war lord is a test of the party’s integrity months out from the October election.

LNP state director Ben Riley, in an email to members, called on supporters to be “responsible for the high standards that come with earning the trust of Queenslanders and forming government”.

In a major blow to the conservative faction attempting to seize power of LNP headquarters, Mr Riley also signalled disgraced former Howard government minister turned lobbyist Santo Santoro’s push for power had failed.

Mr Santoro, a one-time LNP factional war lord, was vying for a seat on the party’s powerful decision-making state executive.

LNP state director Ben Riley.

Lobbyists are banned from playing a “substantial” role in Queensland election campaigns under the state’s integrity laws. The LNP in 2011 also banned lobbyists from state executive in a move to clamp down on conflicts of interest.

But in an explosive meeting attended by more than 300 LNP members in Brisbane’s inner-north on May 9, Mr Santoro’s supporters — including state LNP MP Tim Nicholls — forced a vote on the chair position against the wishes of LNP headquarters.

Mr Santoro’s backers say they were backing him as a protest vote against party HQ amid anger over the way the LNP was currently being run by headquarters.

Votes were held for three other positions at the May 9 meeting, with two won by supporters of Mr Santoro.

Party headquarters has been seeking high-level legal advice on Mr Santoro’s eligibility.

Mr Riley, in the email to members, indicated an election begins when a candidate nominates for a position.

Former federal MP turned lobbyist Santo Santoro. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“A person who is registered on the Queensland Government’s Lobbyist Register is not eligible to participate in any part of that process,” he said.

“Additionally, failure by a senior member of the party such as a member of State Executive to comply with the Federal Lobbyist Code of Conduct will likely bring the Party into disrepute”.

Mr Santoro is no longer listed on the Queensland lobbying register, though it shows he had done lobbying work as recently as May 8 — weeks after he had nominated.

The federal lobbyist register shows Santoro Consulting was deregistered at 9.26am on May 10.

“As a Party the LNP must demonstrate to Queenslanders, through our actions, that we conduct our internal affairs with complete integrity,” Mr Riley said.

“The LNP upholds the highest standards of governance and restoring integrity to Queensland is at the heart of all we do as we fight to form government at the October election.

“We must all be responsible for the high standards that come with earning the trust of Queenslanders and forming Government.”

Mr Santoro declined to comment when contacted by The Courier-Mail.