Queensland Election results 2017: Mark Robinson going for LNP leadership
DEB Frecklington is heading into tomorrow’s Liberal National Party leadership contest with a significant edge over her rivals, according to party insiders.
QLD Election
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DEB Frecklington is heading into tomorrow’s Liberal National Party leadership contest with a significant edge over John-Paul Langbroek and Mark Robinson, according to party insiders.
Several MPs who spoke to AAP said they expected the leadership vote to be tight, but Ms Frecklington had secured the upper hand by enlisting Tim Mander to run as her deputy.
Mr Mander’s decision to give his support to Ms Frecklington surprised many and some in the party have warned the move could undermine his chances of claiming the leadership in the future.
Nanango-based Ms Frecklington is seen by some as the antidote to the party’s problems in rural and regional Queensland, where the party bled support to One Nation, while still being able to engage with voters in the southeast.
Still, at least one MP told AAP not to rule out Gold Coast-based Mr Langbroek, who was ousted by the party executive in 2011 to make way for Campbell Newman, whose biggest asset appears to be his experience.
Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed underdog Mr Robinson claims he’s had “a groundswell” of support since announcing his candidacy at the weekend.
As reported by The Courier-Mail, little-known Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson, who describes himself as a Christian Conservative, announced his leadership tilt on Saturday and will run against incumbent deputy leader Deb Frecklington and former leader John-Paul Langbroek. “There’s been a groundswell of support. From an underdog status already there is great momentum towards my attempt to be the leader,” Dr Robinson told ABC radio today.
He says he would take a “consultative” leadership style, fashioned by former prime minister John Howard, if elected, with a focus on a “local” direction and “family values” in building policies.
There was speculation earlier this year that Dr Robinson would defect to One Nation after he had dinner with Pauline Hanson and her adviser James Ashby last December.
Dr Robinson says though he hasn’t agreed with all LNP decisions he has stuck with the party through “good, bad and otherwise”.
“I’m a very strong, loyal LNP person.”
Mr Robinson was first elected to Parliament in the seat of Cleveland in 2009 and briefly served on the opposition front bench during Lawrence Springborg’s tenure as leader.
The Redlands-based MP says that prior to politics “I worked as an educator in various roles — as a Lecturer, TAFE teacher, researcher and university chaplain among other things”.
LNP members will hold their first party room meeting since the election on Tuesday, where MPs will have the chance to elect their new leader after Tim Nicholls announced he would be stepping down.
Frontbencher Tim Mander is also expected to run for the deputy leadership on a joint ticket with Ms Frecklington.
Outspoken Member for Whitsunday Jason Costigan is contesting the deputy leadership position as well.
Originally published as Queensland Election results 2017: Mark Robinson going for LNP leadership
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