Rumours Campbell Newman will make a run for federal seat

FORMER Queensland premier Campbell Newman is rumoured to be making a return to politics — this time, in Canberra.

Leaders of Australian business and information technology gathered in Townsville for the second Redefining Townsville forum, which aims to unlock the future potential of Townsville. Campbell Newman, Chairman SwarmFarm Robotics. Picture: Shae Beplate.

FORMER Queensland premier Campbell Newman is rumoured to make a return to politics — but this time, in Canberra.

Speculation that Mr Newman will make a tilt at federal politics came after Brisbane’s Liberal-National Party MP Teresa Gambaro confirmed she wouldn’t stand at the next federal election, possibly paving the way for Mr Newman to make a run.

Mr Newman, who has been working in the agriculture sector since he was ousted from office and lost his seat in last year’s state election, refused to rule out speculation when questioned by the Courier Mail.

But there are rumours another former Queensland premier, Labor’s Peter Beattie, is also eyeing off the federal seat of Brisbane.

Paul Bongiorno on @RNBreakfast: Rumours that seat of Brisbane could be Peter Beattie v. Campbell Newman #auspol

— Michael Koziol (@michaelkoziol) March 9, 2016

The two former premiers, who recently released political books within months of each other, have been critical of the “dysfunctional relationship” between federal and state government structures. Mr Beattie has called for the abolition of states altogether.

But federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he would be surprised if Mr Newman ran for parliament again.

Peter Beattie was Queensland’s Labor premier between 1998 and 2007.

“If the best that the Liberal-National Party’s got is a premier who lost government and power in Queensland, that’s up to the LNP,” he told the ABC on Thursday.

Labor’s candidate Pat O’Neill was a strong campaigner, in the military and would have good policies backing him up, Mr Shorten said.

“I don’t think the same can be said for the LNP,” he added.

Mr Newman spent 13 years in politics, including as Brisbane’s Lord Mayor, but in September he told the ABC he didn’t miss public life at all.

“You know, and just for the avoidance of doubt, I’m not coming back. I’m having far too much fun,” he said.

“Government and politics isn’t like a reality TV show. It’s not about voting the bad guys out of the house.”