Queensland government cuts former minister Flegg loose

FORMER Newman government minister Bruce Flegg has been disendorsed as a Liberal National Party candidate at next year’s election.

FORMER Newman government minister Bruce Flegg was disendorsed yesterday as a Liberal National Party candidate at next year’s election.

The accident-prone former Queensland Liberal leader, forced to resign last year over dealings with his lobbyist son, was dumped as two other controversial LNP MPs were given the green light to stand.

Dr Flegg’s dumping, reportedly for bringing the LNP into disrepute, is in contrast to the party’s backing of MP Peter Dowling, who gained notoriety after taking a picture of his penis in a wine glass and sending it to his mistress. Mr Dowling, later cleared of wrongdoing for taking his mistress on parliamentary travel trips, had to quit as chairman of parliament’s ethics committee.

Former IT and arts minister Ros Bates — who also had to quit the frontbench over allegations of nepotism and unrecorded dealings with lobbyists — was also allowed to stand.

Dr Flegg was last night understood to be considering a legal challenge, with Brisbane doctor Christian Rowan planning to stand in his seat of Moggill, in Brisbane’s outer west.

Senior LNP insider also dismissed speculation that Premier Campbell Newman could parachute into Dr Flegg’s safe seat. Former Labor environment minister Kate Jones this week confirmed she would run against the Premier in Ashgrove, held by with a 5.7 per cent margin.

Mr Flegg was forced to resign in November 2012 after failing to declare all contact he had with his lobbyist son. He also created a furore after secretly recording his colleagues during an attempt to persuade him to retire.