LNP MP Mark Robinson says he won’t defect to One Nation

LNP MP Mark Robinson has again pledged his allegiance to the LNP, insisting he will not follow Steve Dickson’s lead and defect to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

Mark Robinson MP

• Steve Dickson’s defection gives One Nation a leg-up

LNP MP Mark Robinson has again pledged his allegiance to the LNP, insisting he will not follow Steve Dickson’s lead and defect to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

Mr Robinson issued a media statement this morning in which he said his potential defection was not discussed at the dinner he had with Senator Pauline Hanson, her chief of staff James Ashby and Mr Dickson last month in Mr Dickson’s Buderim electorate.

“I had dinner with Steve Dickson, Pauline Hanson and James Ashby one December evening in Buderim,” the Cleveland MP said.

“It is not my practice to publicise the content of private conversations, but suffice to say that at no stage was the possibility of me leaving the LNP and joining ON ever canvassed. The conversation was cordial and polite.

Mark Robinson MP.

“While I have had a cordial meeting and chat with Pauline Hanson, as Tony Abbott and Tim Nicholls and others have done so, I wish to make it crystal clear that I have no plan to leave the LNP, and I am not joining One Nation.”

“As we move towards a State election, likely this year, it is my intention to run again as the LNP Member for Cleveland should the LNP members of Cleveland nominate me again as they so graciously have done so over the past eight years.”

“Should the good people of the Cleveland electorate re-elect me I will seek once again to do my best to serve them for the next Parliamentary term.”

Mr Robinson, an Opposition backbencher, also flagged his desire to potentially serve in a more senior role following the election.

“Should opportunity again come to serve in a higher capacity, I will certainly be available to the Leader to make that contribution as they see fit,” he said.

“Regarding Steve Dickson, he remains a good friend of mine.

“I had no knowledge of what he was about to do and I am sad that he will no longer be part of the LNP team. I wish him and his family well.”

Originally published as LNP MP Mark Robinson says he won’t defect to One Nation