Infighting plaguing Queensland LNP must end: president

Email to LNP members says officials are working to end tensions as the party ramps up fundraising for federal election.

Queensland LNP president Cynthia Hardy. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Queensland’s Liberal National Party is ramping-up its fundraising ahead of the next federal election as its acting president conceded internal tensions has plagued the party.

In an email to LNP members on Sunday, Cynthia Hardy said the infighting between the organisational and parliamentary wings had been repeatedly raised as an issue during a tour of branches for a review of last year’s state election campaign.

The LNP was comprehensively defeated at the October 31 state election, with some members partly blaming the loss on an unsuccessful move from headquarters to oust then Opposition leader Deb Frecklington just months before polling day.

It led to the resignation of then LNP president David Hutchinson, already under pressure over his links to party rival and then employer Clive Palmer.

In her email Ms Hardy said the LNP was gearing-up for the federal election, which isn’t due until next year, and that officials were working on putting an end to the infighting.

“One of the issues that has been addressed at several meetings is the relationship between the organisational and parliamentary wings of the party,’’ she told members.

“We all recognise that there have been some tensions in the past with fault on both sides, but I have also been very clear about what I expect from both wings moving forward – and that is a solid, productive and positive relationship that works as one to ensure we are in the best possible position to win elections. I expect no less, and I know that you feel the same.”

Over the past year, The Australian has exposed the bitter divisions within the LNP which has been gripped by allegations of branch stacking, unfair party expulsions and suspensions, and the use of star chamber-like candidate vetting and disciplinary hearings to fortify a small group of officials.

The series also revealed the business links of at least four senior officials to Mr Palmer, who founded and ran his rival political after a falling out with the LNP in 2013.

Ms Hardy, who was appointed to replace Mr Hutchinson, told members the party was now concentrating on fundraising ahead of the federal election.

“The momentum of our fundraising activities has continued to increase,’’ she said.

“So far this month we have averaged a fundraising event every second working day and established new fundraising initiatives to ensure the federal campaign will be comprehensively funded, whilst also replenishing the Brisbane City Council and state campaign accounts.

“We want to be in the same position in 2024 as we were in 2020, when we raised more money and spent more money on the state campaign than we did in 2017, with nothing left in the tank.

“I encourage all party units to also actively fundraise right now.”

Late last year, it was reported that several LNP branches called for a clean-out of party headquarters over its links with Mr Palmer, who founded and funds a rival conservative party in Queensland.

Despite the resignation of Mr Hutchinson and several other senior officials — including Gold Coast lawyer Bernard Ponting, who had served as a past honorary legal adviser — there is a growing push to limit the future power of officials.