Queensland election results 2017: LNP leader Tim Nicholls refuses to concede defeat

LNP leader Tim Nicholls is refusing to concede election defeat, declaring: “We are still in this hunt.”

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls during a media conference this week. Picture; Bradley Kanaris/AAP

LNP leader Tim Nicholls is refusing to concede election defeat, declaring: “We are still in this hunt.”

And he insists the conservatives could still form government with the help of like-minded minor party MPs and independents.

Mr Nicholls was speaking on the Gold Coast where he met with re-elected local LNPs and 26-year-old rookie candidate Sam O’Connor who is on track to win the new seat of Bonney.

“This election isn’t over yet, there are still a lot of votes to be counted,” he said.

“We are still in this hunt, we’ve got seats that are in play. We’re very hopeful.

“I think the real question that we need to go back to is what is Annastacia Palaszczuk’s position in relation to governing without a majority?

“Will she stick to her word or will she break her promise like she did in 2015.”

Asked about the remote prospects of the LNP being able to form a majority government, Mr Nicholls said the party would be ‘prepared to work with people who support our agenda’.

He sidestepped questions about a mooted LNP leadership change, with Sportsbet rating former Opposition leader John-Paul Langbroek the $2.50 favourite to make a comeback as the new leader.

Mr Nicholls is a $7 outsider in the betting.

Originally published as Queensland election results 2017: LNP leader Tim Nicholls refuses to concede defeat