Anger at LNP boss David Hutchinson over ties to Clive Palmer

Queensland’s Liberal National Party president, David Hutchinson, is facing pressure from state and federal MPs to quit his job with Clive Palmer.

Clive Palmer. Picture: AAP

Queensland’s Liberal National Party president, David Hutchinson, is facing pressure from state and federal MPs to quit his job with Clive Palmer.

Former LNP Speaker of parliament Fiona Simpson called for Mr Hutchinson to “make a choice” between the presidency and his high-paying job with Mr Palmer amid anger among MPs and the rank and file.

Mr Hutchinson, who had previously worked for his parents’ company, last year secured a job with Mr Palmer, despite the businessman being leader of the rival United Australia Party. It came after the pair struck a preference deal between the UAP and LNP that helped return the Morrison government.

Ms Simpson was the only MP to publicly criticise Mr Hutchinson’s decision to join Mr Palmer’s payroll, but four other state and federal MPs told The Australian there was outrage among the membership.

“There is a lot of concern about this in my electorate. Mr Palmer has hurt a lot of people here,’’ the Sunshine Coast MP said about Mr Palmer’s 2015 ­decision to close the Coolum ­Resort he bought in 2011, with the loss of 600 jobs.

“I have made it clear to him (Mr Hutchinson) I don’t think the two roles are compatible.’’

Mr Hutchinson did not respond to questions about his position as a property adviser with Mr Palmer, initially focusing on the future of the Coolum Resort.

LNP state leader Deb Frecklington supported Mr Hutchinson keeping the job with Mr Palmer but sought assurances he would quit if the UAP contested the state election in October.

Ms Frecklington’s mother-in-law, Maree Frecklington, is among timeshare investors in the resort currently fighting a drawn-out legal battle with Mr Palmer after he sought to block them from being able to access their accommodation.

One federal LNP MP, who declined to be identified, said it appeared Mr Palmer was “buying up” the senior ranks of the party organisation.

Federal Nationals president Larry Anthony and senior LNP official Malcolm Cole — who own a lobbying and communications firm and are both members of the LNP’s state executive — are also on Mr Palmer’s payroll.

“The members are disgusted. It is compromising the party and needs to be cleaned up,” the federal MP said.

Another LNP MP said he was stunned Mr Hutchinson would work for Mr Palmer after he “put people out work on the Sunshine Coast and in Townsville’’ with the closure of Queensland ­Nickel and is currently facing legal action from regulators and the federal government.

“Does the LNP stand for Liberal National Palmer? How can you take money from Palmer and still be president of the party?’’ the MP said.

There was also unrest over a decision by the LNP state executive to pick lawyer Laura Gerber to contest the seat of Currumbin in the Queensland by-election triggered by the resignation of former Newman government minister Jann Stuckey.

Ms Stuckey said she suspected the LNP state executive had avoided putting the preselection to a branch vote because they just wanted “any skirt” to replace her after she had thrown her support behind another lawyer, Chris Crawford.

She said she felt ostracised from the party over her decision to vote in favour of Labor’s bill to legalise abortion in 2018.