LNP opens preselection for six Queensland seats ahead of 2024 election

The LNP has officially opened preselection for six Queensland seats, including two held by government ministers in under fire portfolios.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli. Picture: David Clark

Queensland’s LNP have officially opened its process to secure candidates for the 2024 state election, in line with Opposition Leader David Crisafulli’s aim to have some political aspirants in the field by Easter.

LNP state director Ben Riley, in an email to the party’s membership, revealed preselection had opened for six seats — including two held by government ministers in under fire portfolios — with the rest to come in waves.

Mr Crisafulli has consistently pointed to his wish to have some candidates in the field for the October 2024 state election in the first few months of this year and for the people chosen to be representative of “modern Queensland”.

He has signalled his desire for the party to select for more women, people of diverse backgrounds and small business leaders, though normal state LNP process dictates candidates are ultimately picked by branch members.

The state LNP, in its initial preselection round, is looking for candidates in seats held by Health Minister Yvette D’Ath (Redcliffe) and Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard (Nudgee).

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath. Picture: Sarah Marshall

The other seats of Cairns, Thuringowa and Redlands are Labor-held state marginal seats.

The LNP is also seeking a candidate for the independent held seat of Noosa.

Mr Riley signalled people were rearing to put their hand up for preselection for the “reformed and united party”.

He said Mr Crisafulli had “made it clear” the calibre and diversity of candidates the party needed and for them to “hit the ground early to listen” to the important issues.

“The fact we are working hard to get those candidates into the field this soon is testament to the hard work and credibility Queenslanders see in David, his team and the party,” Mr Riley said.

Mr Crisafulli, in an interview with the Courier-Mail marking the new year, said the LNP would continue to make the economy, service delivery and integrity crucial battlegrounds in their quest to topple the Palaszczuk government with cost of living another key area.

An exclusive YouGov poll for the Courier-Mail in December 2022 showed Queensland Labor’s primary vote had fallen from 39.6 per cent at the 2020 election to 34 per cent.

And the poll predicted the LNP’s primary vote to lift from 35.9 per cent to 38, with the Greens at 13 per cent and One Nation and on 11 per cent.

But it also found two in five Queenslanders did not have an opinion about Mr Crisafulli’s performance, more than two years after he took on the leadership.

Originally published as LNP opens preselection for six Queensland seats ahead of 2024 election