George Brandis: Melbourne Cup field eyes plum Senate spot

The jostling has already begun as some heavyweight contenders circle the Attorney-General’s plum Senate spot.

Some high-profile contenders are lining up for the senate vacancy left by George Brandis.

Attorney-General George Brandis will leave federal politics to ­become Australia’s next high commissioner to Britain after more than a year of speculation over the plum diplomatic posting.

The Australian understands Senator Brandis, not halfway through a six-year Senate term, will take over from Alexander Downer in the new year following a transitional period.

Mr Downer’s three-year stint as high commissioner was meant to end earlier this year but he stayed on for six months while his successor was decided.

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There are concerns within the Liberal National Party that a ­replacement for Senator Brandis may not be chosen until after parliament resumes on February 5, potentially leaving a vacancy in the Senate for days or weeks.

The Queensland LNP state council will meet to ratify the replacement, with a looming “Melbourne Cup field” of candidates.

Former senator Joanna Lindgren — a Liberal — was said to be trying to secure numbers yesterday, with other candidates tipped to include Teresa Harding, Amanda Stoker and former LNP leader Lawrence Springborg.

Former senator Joanna Lindgren. Picture: Jono Searle

State MP John-Paul Langbroek and former Newman government minister Scott ­Emerson could also be candidates to ­replace Senator Brandis.

The LNP is expected to hold preselections for its Senate ticket early next year.

The departure of Senator Brandis, after a year of talk about generational change within the LNP, could also lead to the retirements of north Queensland senator Ian Macdonald, 72, and Barry O’Sullivan, 60. Senator Macdonald told The Australian last week he would put himself forward for preselection for the next general election.

A Queen’s Counsel, Senator Brandis entered parliament as a senator for Queensland in 2000, serving as minister for the arts and sport in 2007 under John Howard, and attorney-general under Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull.

Former LNP leader Lawrence Springborg. Picture: Jono Searle

MPs close to Senator Brandis said he was leaving politics on a high note after helping to legalise gay marriage and introducing foreign interference laws in the final week of parliament.

The 60-year-old senator also received widespread praise after he hit out at One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for wearing a burka in the Senate, declaring it an “appalling thing” to ridicule and mock religious garments of the Muslim community.

But his 17-year career has not been without controversy: a bitter dispute with former solicitor-general Justin Gleeson lead to the ­latter’s resignation. Senator Brandis also caused uproar when he said Australians had a “right to be bigots” while defending the Abbott government’s planned overhaul of racial discrimination laws.

Labor deputy Tanya Plibersek said Senator Brandis was not a “successful” attorney-general.

Queensland state MP John Paul Langbroek. Picture: Adam Head