Queensland election results 2017: George Christensen puts Malcolm Turnbull on notice
MALCOLM Turnbull has distanced his government from the apparent failure of Queensland’s Liberal National Party in yesterday’s state election campaign.
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MALCOLM Turnbull has distanced his government from the apparent failure of Queensland’s Liberal National Party in yesterday’s state election campaign.
He says he has spoken to LNP leaders Tim Nicholls and Deb Frecklington and praised them for a good campaign in a tough environment.
Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Labor government looks set to be returned with a small majority of 48 seats in the 93-seat parliament.
The LNP fell well short and faced a swing against it in the southeast of the state, with the loss of at least three senior members, including shadow treasurer Scott Emerson.
But Mr Turnbull wouldn’t take any blame for the amalgamated party’s failure, even though there has been turmoil at the federal level.
“(Voters) know the difference between state and federal issues, and that was a state election fought on state issues,” he told reporters while campaigning in Sydney for the by-election in Bennelong.
Mr Turnbull made just one brief appearance in Queensland during the election campaign, with a short, rousing speech at the LNP launch and a short street walk last Sunday.
He said he would wait until all votes were counted before commenting further.
“But at this stage we will be very interested to see if Annastacia Palaszczuk is prepared to stick to her pledge not to accept the support of any independent or minor party,” the prime minister said.
Earlier today Federal LNP MP George Christensen used the election result to again put Mr Turnbull on notice, issuing a provocative warning to the prime minister.
To Qlders who voted One Nation, I'm sorry we in the LNP let you down. We need to listen more, work harder, stand up more for conservative values & regional Qld & do better to win your trust & vote. A lot of that rests with the Turnbull govt, it's leadership & policy direction. pic.twitter.com/0vCREdd7mn
— George Christensen (@GChristensenMP) November 25, 2017
The Liberal National Party is unlikely to be able to form a majority government in Queensland while One Nation was yet to pick up any seats.
But in a deliberate move, Mr Christensen posted a tweet apologising to One Nation voters.
“To Qlders who voted One Nation, I’m sorry we in the LNP let you down,” he tweeted.
“We need to listen more, work harder, stand up more for conservative values & regional Qld & do better to win your trust & vote.
“A lot of that rests with the Turnbull govt, it’s leadership & policy direction.”
Mr Christensen has been vocal in his criticism of the federal government, and especially Mr Turnbull.
He and fellow Queenslander, Senator Barry O’Sullivan, are keen to get a banking royal commission across the line, and a state election loss could reinvigorate their push for what is a popular idea.
Originally published as Queensland election results 2017: George Christensen puts Malcolm Turnbull on notice
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