Keith Pitt mulls separate LNP party room in Canberra

Keith Pitt considers establishing an LNP beachhead in federal parliament by not sitting in either the Nationals or Liberal party-rooms.

Keith Pitt in the House of Representatives. Picture: Kym Smith..

Dumped Queensland nationals MP Keith Pitt was yesterday considering establishing a beachhead for the LNP in federal parliament by not sitting in either the Nationals or Liberal party-rooms, according to fresh warnings sounded by his colleagues.

The idea, which has been discussed by a group of Queensland MPs, would be to start a new LNP party room in Canberra which could grow over time with Mr Pitt being the breakaway MP to get the ball rolling.

Mr Pitt — who was yesterday dropped by Barnaby Joyce from the assistant ministry — could also be joined by one or two of his Queensland colleagues in a sign of dissatisfaction with Mr Joyce’s leadership and deep divisions within the Nationals party room.

Talks have taken previously taken place between a group consisting of Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald, Queensland National George Christensen, Queensland Senator Barry O’Sullivan and Mr Pitt about sitting as a separate LNP party room.

Sources told The Australian the move had the potential to “end the Nationals.”

The Australian has also been informed that Mr Pitt was counselled yesterday by his colleagues to hold off on any announcement about sitting as the lone LNP MP in federal parliament and abandoning the Liberal and National party rooms until next year.

They argued any swift decision could look like a case of “sour grapes” given his dumping from the front bench and undermine momentum for the establishment of a genuine Queensland based breakaway movement in Canberra.

If Mr Pitt did break away it is understood he would support the government on supply and confidence but hold separate discussions with the government on the passage of legislation.

Mr Pitt has not yet publicly indicated his intentions or responded to the speculation of his party colleagues.

The Australian first revealed discussions were taking place about establishing a separate LNP party room in July last year.

The ultimate aim from establishing a separate LNP party room is that it would surpass the Nationals and become the main Coalition partner of the Liberals.

If all Queensland MPs joined the grouping it would number 26 MPs and leave the Nationals with only 13 MPs — completely overhauling the existing Coalition arrangement, eroding the influence of the Nationals and sidelining Mr Joyce as Deputy Prime Minister.

Those behind the push say if the LNP backed the move and it had widespread support it could see the LNP party room negotiating a new Coalition agreement with the Liberals to uphold Queensland interests.

This could also give the LNP the right to elect the Deputy Prime Minister. If the movement gained momentum and all 26 Queenslanders broke away to sit as a separate party-room, the hope is that Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton could be installed as Deputy Prime Minister.

The breakaway group lacks major support among Queensland MPs with some Nationals MPs warning the move is self-destructive and driven by self interest.

However, if Mr Pitt decides to take the decision to breakaway it will be seen as a serious first step to achieving a more ambitious objective to hobble the Nationals and elevate the LNP.