LNP convention day 1: Lawrence Springborg eyes likely election win

A resolution to ban puberty blockers for minors with gender dysphoria has been decried by a Young LNP member at the party’s state convention.

LNP president Lawrence Springborg (right) with legal adviser George Brandis on day one of the convention. Picture: Glenn Campbell/NCA NewsWire

• Editor’s view: Time to come clean

Future LNP-led state and federal governments should ban the prescription of puberty blockers to minors with gender dysphoria, according to the party faithful.

An overwhelming majority of LNP members, at the party’s three-day convention in Brisbane, called on its parliamentary wings to ban puberty blockers for young people.

The motion leant on the UK Cass review, which prompted the UK’s National Health Service to ban the prescription of the hormone drugs for children aged under 16.

LNP members pushing the ban said it was about doing what’s best for very vulnerable children before they make permanent decisions.

A Young LNP member who opposed the motion described the move as “transphobia disguised as policy” and rejected the notion the Cass review could be used to justify a ban.

“One can only wonder why many of the LGBTI community will not want to join in this movement (the LNP),” he said.

Nearly 1000 party faithful are set to stream through the LNP’s annual convention between Friday and Sunday, in the largest crowd recorded at the event since at least 2012 before Campbell Newman swept to power.

LNP Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner addresses the convention. Picture: Glenn Campbell/NCA NewsWire

State issues such as crime, housing and health dominated debate on day one of the convention, with party members sharing emotional personal stories and experiences.

The resurgent LNP is more election battle ready than it has been in a decade President Lawrence Springborg has declared, calling on the party to stay the course and prioritise unity on the path to October.

Mr Springborg, addressing the convention, declared he had a high level of confidence the LNP would be successful in October 26 as long as it stayed the course and “we don’t get in our own way”.

“If you are divided, you never win. If you are united, you may not necessarily win but you give yourself the best chance possible,” he said.

“And that’s the critical agreed ingredient that we can and we are taking forward to success, not only at the next state election but beyond to the federal election as well.”

His comments come amid recent internal ructions from an insurgent old guard faction of the LNP attempting to seize control of party HQ months from the state election.

Polling, including by YouGov for The Courier-Mail, indicate the three-term Queensland Labor government faces defeat in October.

Federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton addresses the convention on Saturday. Picture: Martin Ollman/NCA NewsWire

Coalition leader Peter Dutton, in his address to the LNP party faithful at the party’s convention on Saturday, is set to emphatically back state Opposition leader David Crisafulli as a “stable, predictable and hardworking premier”.

The strong endorsement from Mr Dutton comes despite the Crisafulli-led state LNP being adamantly opposed to their federal colleagues’ nuclear energy plan.

“Come 26 October, my hope is that thoughtful and practical Queenslanders will give a thoughtful and practical man the chance to clean up Labor’s mess and restore the greatness of Queensland,” Mr Dutton is expected to say in his speech.

The party faithful supported digitising the health system within the first term of an LNP government, reintroducing hearing tests at schools, and undertaking a financial review of controversial Best Practice Industry Principles.

Heated debate was held over whether an LNP-led government would one-up Labor by introducing $250 sports vouchers to families, rather than the current $200 voucher, with the party floor ultimately agreeing.

Nationals leader David Littleproud also will address the convention on Saturday. Mr Crisafulli will speak on Sunday.

Originally published as LNP convention day 1: Lawrence Springborg eyes likely election win