State election 2017: Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek to contest the LNP leadership
SURFERS Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek has made his pitch for the LNP leadership, saying the party has lost its way and needs to return to its core values.
Gold Coast
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JOHN-Paul Langbroek says he wants to restore the public’s trust in the LNP after an ‘appalling’ performance at the election.
The Surfers Paradise MP will be a candidate for the conservative party’s leadership this week after incumbent leader Tim Nicholls bowed to the inevitable and resigned following confirmation of Labor’s victory.
The depleted LNP party room of 39 MPs will meet in Brisbane on Tuesday to elect a new leader with Mr Langbroek and Nanango’s Deb Frecklington the only declared candidates.
Mr Langbroek’s pitch to his colleagues has focused on his experience, both in parliament and as a former opposition leader, as well as a need to get away from the mistakes of the election campaign.
“I became leader once before and I think I have the reputation of being a steady and calm but strong person when it comes to dealing with the Labor Party,” he said.
“As an Opposition Leader you have to deal with relentless pressure and if you have only been in parliament for five years it is hard to understand even if you have a lot of experience around you.
“I have the experience to take us to the next level given we need to rebuild trust — we only got just over 30 per cent of the vote and that is appalling.
Labor’s election victory was confirmed yesterday, 13 days after the state election, with the Palaszczuk Government claiming 48 of the 93 seats, giving it a two-seat majority.
Ms Frecklington will contest the leadership as a ticket alongside Tim Mander as deputy while Mr Langbroek will go alone.
Whitsundays MP Jason Costigan will contest the deputy’s position.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday appeared to endorse Ms Frecklington’s candidacy.
“I wish Deb all the very best,” she said.
“If the LNP does not back Deb Frecklington I fear that the National Party will break away from the LNP.
“There is a lot riding on who they select.”
LANGBROEK’S SHORT ODDS FOR LEADERSHIP
The Palaszczuk cabinet will be sworn in on Tuesday, with Treasurer Curtis Pitt tipped for a move to the Speaker’s chair.
Kate Jones is understood to be in line to retain her Commonwealth Games portfolio while Deputy Premier Jackie Trad is set to become Treasurer.
Mr Langbroek said the party needed to refocus in a bid to take the fight to Labor.
“We need to get away from grandiose promises which we make on one hand while on the other hand we have our core values such as management of the budget,” he said.
“When we make expensive promises it is no wonder people do not believe is — we need to get back to the core values of community and family, managing the budget and reward for effort.”
Mr Langbroek was first elected in 2004 and was previously LNP leader from 2009 until 2011 when he was replaced by Campbell Newman.
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