Revealed: inside story on the David Crisafulli leadership bid and how it will change the Coast

If David Crisafulli becomes the next leader of the LNP in Queensland it will bring a wave of confidence to the Gold Coast tourism and small businesses at a much-needed time.

• Weirdest moments from the campaign trail
• Gold Coast seats analysis and results

IF David Crisafulli becomes the next leader of the LNP in Queensland it will bring a wave of confidence to the Gold Coast tourism and small businesses at a much-needed time.

The Broadwater MP is close to Mayor Tom Tate. He has strong working relationships with tourism leaders. The Crisafulli family lives in the fast-growing north so he understands the needs for growing communities.

31st October 2020, Queensland State election 2020 David Crisafulli watches the tally count intently as he holds on to his seat of Broadwater Photo: Scott Powick

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But as a political strategist on the other side of politics explains, this is all a little premature.

“We know it’s likely he will be in the running. Him and (deputy leader) Tim Mander,” the Labor strategist said. “They can’t put the cart before the horse until they know what their party room will look like.”

Experienced MPs on the Coast in the LNP ranks are not talking publicly — and few very privately — but they would agree with that comment.

The Opposition does not yet know if they will retain its southern Coast seats. They are confident of winning Burleigh where Michael Hart should be returned but Currumbin, with Laura Gerber, is more problematic.

You would assume there are two party room votes just there for Mr Crisafulli. He has to wait.

David Crisafulli when a candidate on South Stradbroke Island. Photo by Richard Gosling

Many MPs were still at the election count when Deb Frecklington announced she was quitting as leader. One found out after a telephone call from their electorate office.

On Sunday, just 24 hours after the election, Mr Crisafulli was not talking the leadership when he made calls to check on colleagues.

A senior LNP source told the Bulletin: “I don’t even know if he’s running. We’re still counting votes.”

Another LNP source added: “We don’t even know who’s won their seats yet. You can’t have a party room (to vote on the leadership) until everyone can be there.”

The reality is it can take days to get a good indication of how some marginal seats are travelling, particularly those up north. Postal votes will be counted until November 11.

But it is important for us to ponder what life will be like for the Coast under a Crisafulli leadership.

Remembering back to the final week of the 2017 election campaign, Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek made an honest admission in a lengthy interview with the Bulletin that probably got him offside with his colleagues.

Deb Frecklington at Parliament house. She announced she would be stepping down from the position of LNP leader today. 2 November 2020 Brisbane 2020 Picture by Richard Gosling

“In our term while we completed light rail and funded the Commonwealth Games, there is no doubt because of the focus on repairing the budget on time that we didn’t do as much for the Gold Coast in our term as we could have,” he said at the time.

Labor have dined out on the quote and Transport Minister Mark Bailey often repeated that the Newman Government did not spent a cent on the southern section of the M1.

If he stands — and is elected — for the LNP leadership, Mr Crisafulli will need to work hard to repair some faith in the LNP on the Coast.

Sam O’Connor and Ros Bates do that in their seats of Bonney and Mudgeeraba. Their vote increases because of their connection with community even when their party faces a swing against it.

David Crisafulli campaigning on South Stradbroke Island. Photo by Richard Gosling.

Mr Crisafulli loves politics, is ambitious, will be a smart political player here, and he can play the longer game and win. He can wait longer.

Why not let someone like Mr Mander steer the ship for the next tough two years in Opposition, call a leadership challenge mid-term when his numbers firm up and cruise home to a potential election win in four years.

Just a thought for an MP that calls home the Broadwater.

Follow @PaulWestonGC