Gold Coast MPs could gain new shadow cabinet portfolios following LNP leadership showdown
GOLD Coast MPs are set to reap the benefits of yesterday’s LNP leadership change, with key lieutenants of new Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls in line for promotion.
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GOLD Coast MPs are set to reap the benefits of yesterday’s LNP leadership change, with key lieutenants of new Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls in line for promotion.
Mr Nicholls yesterday defeated LNP founder Lawrence Springborg in a close partyroom vote which also saw Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek stand down as deputy leader.
The former Newman government treasurer triumphed in a 22-19 partyroom vote while Nanango MP Deb Frecklington was unanimously elected the new deputy.
Mr Nicholls, a Brisbane MP, will spend the weekend speaking to colleagues before announcing the Opposition’s new-look frontbench next week.
The Gold Coast Bulletin understands Gold Coast MPs Ros Bates and Michael Hart could be considered for promotion while MPs are hoping to find a new role for Mr Langbroek who is regarded as a strong performer.
Both Ms Bates and Mr Hart flanked the new Opposition leader as he walk into the emergency partyroom meeting held at parliament yesterday.
Ms Bates last night said she was pleased with the outcome of the meeting.
“I am happy to serve in whichever way the Opposition Leader wants me to,” she said.
“This was a positive outcome for all of Queensland and the party’s leadership has representation from the southeast as well as from regional areas.
“Tim and Deb will work together to hold the Government to account.”
The future of Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey in the shadow cabinet is uncertain, with LNP sources declining to speculate whether she would retain the Commonwealth Games portfolio.
The vanquished conservative leaders yesterday released a joint statement supporting their replacements and reflecting on their time in the LNP’s top positions following the Newman government’s defeat.
“We are very confident Tim Nicholls and Deb Frecklington will deliver for Queenslanders at the next state election with an LNP victory,” the statement said.
“When we were elected by our colleagues in 2015, the LNP at a Parliamentary and organisational level ... was extremely despondent and disappointed following an inexcusable election loss after just one term in government.
“After just 18 months in Opposition, the LNP now consistently polls in an election-winning position.”
The latest leadership tensions were sparked after the LNP last month suffered a major tactical defeat on the floor of parliament.
Its bid to increase the number of seats in Parliament from 89 to 93 backfired when Labor, with the support of the crossbench, passed an amended Bill that included the return of compulsory
preferential voting.
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