Queensland LNP’s losing culture has to change, says Jason Costigan

Former Queensland Liberal National frontbencher Jason Costigan has condemned the state opposition’s “losing culture”.

Jason Costigan. Picture: Peter Wallis

Former Queensland Liberal National frontbencher Jason Costigan has condemned the state opposition’s “losing culture”, lashing last year’s unsuccessful state election campaign as “rubbish”.

The Whitsunday MP’s comments come ahead of an LNP State Council meeting in Bundaberg this weekend where officials will debate calls to thwart the preselection of three senior MPs who last month voted with their conscience to decriminalise abortion.

Mr Costigan said he preferred local party members to select their candidates rather than party committees.

“My personal view is that it should be up to party members in their own electorate to work out whether you or you are going to be the candidate — it’s simple as that,” he said.

Mr Costigan said it was “deadset embarrassing” that the state LNP had only two MPs north of Bundaberg despite the regions enjoying strong representation in the federal Coalition.

“I’m not prepared to sit back and say nothing; we have a losing culture and it’s got to change,” Mr Costigan told reporters.

“I think they (voters) are continually dudded by Labor, but we’re not able to capture their hearts and minds and get them to vote for us.”

Mr Costigan said the LNP should accept “collective responsibility” for its lack of “cut-through” in November last year, and believed the party’s stocks had not risen in the year since that election result.

“It’s no secret I didn’t vote for her, but Deb (Frecklington) is the leader, and she’s learning,” he said.

Mr Costigan said the LNP had strong policies at the last election but failed to communicate its message.

“I’m not saying I’m the best salesman in the world, but … (voters) have got to look you in the eye and say ‘I like that bloke, I like that idea, and I’m going to vote for him or her’,” he said.

The LNP lost seats to Labor, the Greens and Katter’s Australian Party at the November 2017 election.

Mr Costigan has held the marginal seat of Whitsunday since 2012. He was the shadow assistant minister for North Queensland between May 2016 and December 2017.

Former opposition leader Tim Nicholls this week told parliament he accepted responsibility for the election defeat.

“To the many members of the LNP who fought the good fight throughout Queensland, I say thank you for your hard work and commitment and I am sorry I was not able to deliver a different result for you,” he said.