Deb Frecklington resigns as LNP leader after Qld state election defeat

Queensland’s opposition leader has fallen on her sword after she was trounced by Annastacia Palaszczuk at Saturday’s state election.

Deb Frecklington has resigned as leader of Queensland’s Liberal National Party after its crushing defeat in the weekend’s state election.

The opposition leader fell on her sword on Monday morning, less than 48 hours after she vowed to continue on in the top job.

Ms Frecklington said while her first instinct on Saturday night was to “fight on”, she had since spent time with her family and decided the right move was to stand down.

“For the last three years, I’ve not been around,” she said.

Ms Frecklington will convene a meeting of the party to decide the next leader as soon as the Electoral Commission of Queensland finalises the election results.

She will not contest the leadership but said she would love any position offered to her.

“I’m here to serve,” she said.

“I will work every minute of every day on behalf of the people of Nanango and the people of Queensland, because that is what I’m elected to do.”

Former LNP opposition leader Deb Frecklington with her family on Saturday night. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Marshall

Ms Frecklington would not be drawn on who the next person to lead the party would be and instead lashed out at questions about whether her deputy Tim Mander would contest the spill.

When asked why he didn’t join her for the press conference, she said she had been with him leading up to it.

“All you guys would’ve been interested in is him and what his decision is going to be,” she said.

“I think that I deserve the ability to have a press conference by myself given that I have given three years of my life and my family’s life as leader of the opposition.”

Ms Frecklington took full responsibility for the LNP’s disastrous result in Saturday’s election, but would not comment on where exactly it went wrong.

“You can judge me how you want to,” she told media.

Ms Frecklington said while there was no doubt COVID-19 had a huge impact on the state’s political landscape, she was proud of the campaign and the candidates the LNP had put forward.

“We fought fair,” she said.

The Nanango MP said while internal ructions within the party in recent months were not helpful, they were matters for the future.

Deb Frecklington conceded defeat during her election speech, but did not contact Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Josh Woning

Ms Frecklington raised eyebrows on Saturday night when she failed to concede to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and then delivered her speech at the same time as the returning Labor leader.

Meanwhile, David Crisafulli appears the most likely candidate to fill her shoes.

The Broadwater MP has been touted as a future leader for several years and refused to rule out a tilt at the leadership when questioned by media on Saturday night.

Likely LNP Opposition Leader David Crisafulli watched with sadness the election result on Saturday night. Picture: Scott Powick

Ms Palaszczuk’s tough stance on borders and her promise to keep Queenslanders safe had a strong impact on voters.

She had a resounding victory in the October 31 poll, securing a larger majority than the 2017 election.

Labor will hold at least 50 of the 93 seats in the Queensland parliament, while the LNP is sitting at 34.

Counting is continuing in some electorates, with the vote too close to call.

Ms Palaszczuk delivered her victory speech at the Blue Fin Fishing Club in her electorate of Inala on Saturday night. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Ms Palaszczuk was originally dubbed the “accidental premier” after she won government in 2015.

She will now preside over a record third term, making her the longest-serving female politician in Australia.