Andrew Laming eyes off state seats after missing LNP nomination in Redlands

Former Bowman MP Andrew Laming is considering running for one of three state seats, including Oodgeroo held by the LNP’s Mark Robinson since 2009.

Former federal MP Andrew Laming top left, and, clockwise Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson (LNP); former Redlands Chamber of Commerce president Rebecca Young; Springwood MP Mick de Brenni (ALP); Capalaba MP Don Brown (ALP) and Redlands MP Kim Richards (ALP).

Former Bowman MP Andrew Laming is considering running for one of three state seats, including Oodgeroo held by the LNP’s Mark Robinson since 2009.

Mr Laming was asked about his plans to take on the blue-ribbon LNP seat after announcing he would host a dinner forum inside the Oodgeroo electorate at Wellington Point to discuss youth justice next week.

The long-serving Liberal MP, who decided not to recontest the federal seat of Bowman at last year’s federal election, missed his chance to be nominated as a candidate for preselection in the seat of Redlands last week.

However, he said he was still keen to contribute within Redland city and would also consider the state seats of Springwood or Capalaba, which overlap the city boundaries.

LNP nominations for preselection for the state seat of Redland closed on Friday.

The bayside electorate is one of five state seats for which the party has opened nominations.

It is expected that the LNP will endorse former Redland Chamber of Commerce president Rebecca Young as its candidate for the seat of Redlands, currently held by Labor’s Kim Richards.

Mr Robinson said it would not be appropriate to comment on LNP preselection and phone calls to Liberal National Party headquarters went unanswered.

Rebecca Young, who was nominated to run for LNP preselection for the seat of Redlands.

“I’m committed to helping or running in the 2024 State election, but it’s still very early days,” he said.

Mr Laming, who has reportedly made numerous phone calls to LNP preselectors this year, said he was in constant touch with Mr Robinson, who was unavailable to make Monday night’s youth justice forum.

The forum follows Mr Laming’s book launch last week and his attack on the state government over laws that allow drug offenders three chances for carrying up to a gram of heroin or cocaine before facing criminal charges.

It is unknown when the LNP will open nominations for preselection for Oodgeroo, Springwood and Capalaba, the electorate currently held by long-term MP and Labor stalwart Don Brown.

Mr Laming said he hoped the youth justice forum would attract more than 250 people to discuss proposals to relocate juvenile offenders to remote towns or sheep stations for in-depth training and rehabilitation.

“It costs the state government about $1 million a year to incarcerate a juvenile offender and remote relocation would be a cheaper and more effective solution.”

■ Youth Justice Forum: Punjab Curry Club, Wellington Point, Monday, February 27.