Push for Amanda Stoker to return to LNP fold

A push within Queensland’s Liberal National Party to bring former senator Amanda Stoker back into the fold is gaining traction.

Former Queensland LNP senator Amanda Stoker. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

A push within Queensland’s Liberal National Party to bring former senator Amanda Stoker back into the fold is gaining traction, with the party due to set pre­selection dates on Friday.

Ms Stoker lost her Senate seat in a statewide 4.28 per cent swing against the Coalition last year after she had been relegated to No. 3 position on the party’s upper house ticket behind male colleagues.

The LNP state executive, which meets on Friday, is expected to set preselection dates for upcoming local, state and federal elections.

With the earliest possible date for the next federal poll, including a half-Senate election, being in August 2024 – the same year as council and state elections in Queensland – The Australian understands party executives want to finalise preselections by the end of the year.

The Australian spoke to multiple LNP sources who say the party “would be mad” not to find Ms Stoker a seat in either state or federal parliament.

“We need more women and she is seriously talented. We have to find a spot for her,” a senior party insider said.

Another said: “She has a formidable intellect. I would not rule out a state or federal run for her.”

If Ms Stoker were to secure a winnable spot on the Senate ticket, she would have to challenge sitting Liberal senators Paul Scarr or Gerard Rennick.

Senator Scarr holds the No. 1 spot and is understood to be running again, although he would not confirm this, citing party preselection rules.

The former mining executive is described as “reasonable and considered” by colleagues, but some have expressed concern he is not high-profile enough.

“If Peter (Dutton) wants to keep his hands clean, he will need someone with cut-through who can fight on conservative issues,” one said.

Under party rules, second place on the ballot goes to the Nat­ionals, in this case opposition frontbencher Susan McDonald.

Senator Rennick, who attracted widespread criticism within his party for his anti-vax views during the pandemic, holds the third position but is expecting a tough internal fight.

As one LNP source put it: “Rennick is cooked. There will be a raft of moderate and conservative challengers for his spot.”

Senator Rennick confirmed he planned to run again, and said he was expecting competition: “I don’t expect the party to protect me. I have always thought every sitting member should be scrutinised and if people want to run against me, they should.”

The consensus within the party is that Ms Stoker, an outspoken opponent of euthanasia and abortion, is unlikely to challenge Senator Scarr and would be unwilling to risk losing again in the No. 3 position.

“There is talk she could go for state, which would certainly be contentious,” a source said.

“You will find there are plenty of people with long memories.”

Ms Stoker fell out with several state MPs after accusing former opposition leader Deb Frecklington of “playing the gender card” when she went after “backroom boys” in the LNP for destabilising her position ahead of the last state election.

Ms Stoker, who would not comment, begins hosting a weekly Sky News program next week.