Queensland election 2015: Independent set to back Labor for government

POLITICAL kingmaker Peter Wellington will today back one of the major parties for minority government, as legal action hangs over a key seat.

QLD Independant Peter Wellington (C) meets with Katter Australia Party QLD state members L-R Shane Knuth and Rob Katter in the QLD State Parliament , about which government they may be willing to negotiate with in the event of a hung parliament in QLD . Brisbane.

POLITICAL kingmaker Peter Wellington is today expected to back a Labor minority government as the possibility of legal action hangs over a key seat.

Mr Wellington yesterday met with both major parties before revealing he would announce his decision today before the count is finalised.

In a blow to the LNP, the Independent Member for Nicklin told how three separate groups from within the party, including premier-hopeful Lawrence Springborg, had been approaching crossbenches saying it was apparent there was “real confusion”.

The remarks do not bode well for the leaderless LNP, given Mr Wellington says the key factor influencing his decision is the need for certainty and “stability in Queensland”.

“There’s not stability, no,” he said of the LNP’s splintered approach.

Mr Wellington said he would prefer the crossbenchers – which includes Katter’s Australian Party MPs Robbie Katter and Shane Knuth – stood as a bloc.

“Stability is important and if it’s possible for Robbie, Shane and I as a bloc to provide that degree of stability to one of those parties, that would be important,” he said.

Labor was last night on track to reach 44 seats – Peter Wellington’s support will take the party to the 45 required to form government.

However the seat of Ferny Grove, which is counted in the Labor pile, could yet be forced to a by-election because of a disqualified Palmer United Party candidate.

Counting continued in the seat yesterday on legal advice, but the Electoral Commission Queensland indicated it could refer the outcome to the Court of Disputed Returns.

The LNP may also refer the case to the court.

KAP founder Bob Katter yesterday arrived at Parliament House where his son Robbie was holding negotiations and declared neither side was capable of running the state.

“I think you’re looking at possibly the two worst governments in Queensland history,’’ he said. “None of those people are capable of running government, none of them had any experience in running government.’’

He took aim at the LNP, saying it had “attacked” the KAP during the election campaign.

“Their strategy for the last 10 days was ‘hung parliament chaos’,” he said.

“If you want to ask Robbie Katter and Shane Knuth how many begging telephone calls they've got from the Liberals ... oh, last week it was chaos, now we want chaos ... how stupid, how stupid.’’

Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday met with the crossbenchers in a bid to convince them her party was the only one able to offer the stability and anti-privatisation stance they sought.

Speaking with media before the meetings, she said her rivals were in chaos and had based all of their election commitments on their privatisation plan going ahead.

“They therefore have absolutely nothing,” she said.

KAP MP Shane Knuth said his party was still waiting for the count, but had yesterday met with Mr Springborg, the health minister during the Newman government, as well as leadership candidate Fiona Simpson.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” he said.

“The discussions that we’ve had is not basically about putting our propositions fully forward. We have to wait for the second stage.”

Mr Knuth’s wife Heather took to Facebook earlier this week to praise Speaker and LNP leadership candidate Ms Simpson, as well as Ms Palaszczuk.

“BUSY, BUSY, Shane flew down to parliament to chat to both (parties in case) it's a hung parliament, wow ... said if LNP don’t change their leadership don’t bother talking to him, (Annastacia) is a lovely woman,” she posted.

“I hope Fiona Simpson gets leader of LNP, great woman.”

Mr Wellington yesterday met with Mr Springborg, but said he was aware of three groups “trying to get the ear” of crossbenchers.

“The person that I met with today has the authority of the Liberal National Party in Queensland to be the representative on behalf of the party,” he said.

“I have formed an opinion but I would like to sleep on it and tomorrow I expect I’ll be making an announcement.’’

Bob Katter said his son and Mr Knuth had often sought Mr Wellington’s counsel, even when he himself had offered advice.

“They have been very close to Peter Wellington at all times,” he said.

Originally published as Queensland election 2015: Independent set to back Labor for government