Herbert MP Phillip Thompson defeated in bid for deputy leader role in Liberal Party
Herbert MP Phillip Thompson knew a win in the party room was ‘unlikely’, but he put his hand up anyway. Here’s why.
Townsville
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Herbert MP Phillip Thompson, who just secured his third term for the Townsville seat in an emphatic fashion, said he decided to put his hand up to contest the deputy leadership role out of passion for the North.
On Wednesday, Sussan Ley and Ted O’Brien secured the votes to become the party’s leader and deputy leader.
O’Brien snapped up the spot with 38 votes to Thompson’s 16.
Ley defeated Angus Taylor 29 to 25 within 15 minutes of the party room to claim the leadership. She is the first female to lead the party.
“Over the past 10 days, I’ve had thousands of North Queenslanders and people from northern Australia, more broadly, contact me to encourage me to run for leadership roles within the Liberal Party,” he said.
“While a win today was always unlikely, I’m a firm believer that you have to be in the arena to have a shot and as a proud, passionate North Queenslander, I made the decision to have a crack.
“While I didn’t get the outcome I had hoped for today, I’ll never stop fighting for North Queensland and as people for whom I owe so much.”
The former Australian soldier said he believed democracy in action was a beautiful process.
“It was an honour to be involved in the democratic process of the liberal leadership contest, and the ability to hold this process in such a respectful way is just another example of why Australia is the best country on Earth,” he said.
Mr Thompson said new Liberal leader Sussan Ley and her deputy Ted O’Brien had his full support.
“Their experience and passion will be instrumental in leading the Liberal Party forward into its next chapter,” he said.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with both Susan and Ted since I was first elected to parliament in 2019, and both are incredibly talented and decent human beings.”
There has been speculation about Mr Thompson’s future in the party with many suggesting he could secure a prominent position in the new shadow cabinet.
His veteran status has him in with a chance at defence, or veterans affairs if it moves from a Nationals-held portfolio to Liberal.
His significant hold over the seat of Herbert has him in good stead, especially given the landslide defeat of the party in the federal election.
Originally published as Herbert MP Phillip Thompson defeated in bid for deputy leader role in Liberal Party
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