Labor wins Queensland election as Tim Nicholls concedes defeat

After claiming government, Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk nominates the only woman who can save the LNP.

Tim Nicholls has conceded defeat in the 2017 Queensland state election. Picture: AAP.

Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has thrown her support behind Deb Frecklington to win the leadership of the Liberal National Party.

Speaking at a press conference in the government executive building at 1 William St, Ms Palaszczuk, who will be sworn in again next week, said she believed the future of the merged party was at stake.

“I wish Deb all the very best,” she said.

“If the LNP does not back Deb Frecklington I fear that the National Party will break away from the LNP.

“There is a lot riding on who they select.”

But Ms Palaszczuk, buoyed by victory over Tim Nicholls after two weeks of uncertainty, said she was ready to take on anyone at the next election.

“I’ve started down Campbell Newman, Lawrence Springborg and Tim Nicholls,” she said.

“Who’s next doesn’t really worry me.”

WHITSUNDAY MP TO RUN FOR LEADERSHIP

Re-elected Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan will vie for a leadership position at a Liberal National Party meeting on Tuesday.

The former rugby league commentator and journalist told The Australian he planned to run for the position of deputy leader.

Current deputy Deb Frecklington today announced she would seek the leadership following Tim Nicholls’ decision to step down.

Everton MP Tim Mander will be her running mate.

Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek has said he will also contest for the leadership.

Mr Costigan would not reveal who he would back for the top job, but said the future of the LNP in north Queensland was dependant on the party backing a northern leadership position.

“Tuesday’s party room meeting will be a referendum on how important north Queensland is,” he said.

“There is no point talking about it, we have to do something about it.

“We are running on the vine north of the Tropic of Capricorn and we are in denial.

“We have two seats left north of Bundaberg.”

Mr Costigan said he could resonate with regional voters better than his colleagues.

PREMIER TIGHT-LIPPED ON REPLACEMENT

Ms Palaszczuk would not reveal the make-up of her cabinet, or comment on the speculation that Treasurer Curtis Pitt would be replaced by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.

“I have had some preliminary discussions with Ministers and will continue these discussions over the coming days with relation to the makeup of my cabinet.

“On Monday the caucus will be meeting at 11am.

“I will be making recommendations to the governor to the appointment of a new cabinet on Tuesday.”

Ms Palaszczuk promised her government would work with business and industry to create jobs, provide access to quality healthcare and deliver rewarding education for all young Queenslanders.

The Premier said she was proud to lead “a strong, stable majority Labor government”.

“It’s easy in politics to talk about a problem and to blame someone for it,” she said.

“But the really hard and meaningful work is to find lasting solutions to these problems.”

She promised the concerns and hopes discussed around Queensland kitchen tables would be the concerns discussed around her cabinet table.

“There has been a lot of comment about this election making me the first Australian woman to be elected for two terms as a premier,” she said.

“My focus is making the live of Queenslanders better, not making records.

“However, I am proud that this Australian milestone is a Queensland milestone.

“Let’s remember that Queensland women had to wait 45 years longer to get the right to vote in the first place.

“We have come a long way, though we need to ensure all Queenslanders have equality of opportunity.”

Ms Palaszczuk thanked her constituents in Inala and all Queenslanders for their support.

“I am extremely humbled for the trust and support that the people of this state have placed in me,” she said.

This afternoon, Ms Palaszczuk went to see Governor Paul de Jersey to advise she can command a majority in state parliament, after the Electoral Commission of Queensland formally declared Labor had won 47 of 93 seats and LNP leader Tim Nicholls rang her to concede defeat.

The ALP is expected to get to 48 seats, the LNP 39, Katter’s Australian Party three, and one each for One Nation, the Greens and an independent.

The Premier-elect will then make a speech and hold a press conference in the city.

Mr Nicholls announced he would not recontest the LNP leadership, with his deputy Deb Frecklington and former party leader John-Paul Langebroek vying to replace him.

David Crisafulli, a former Newman government minister, has ruled out a tilt at the leadership, while Tim Mander has confirmed he will stand as Ms Frecklington’s deputy.

Mr Langbroek confirmed he will contest the party’s leadership at the party room meeting on Tuesday. Mr Langbroek stood aside from the role when Campbell Newman was parachuted in from outside parliament ahead of the 2012 election.

“I’m nominating to lead @LNPQLD because our party needs someone who knows the rigours of leadership, and with the experience to rebuild the trust with all Queenslanders,” Mr Langbroek tweeted. “I have the measured resolve to take on Labor.”

This morning I rang @AnnastaciaMP to concede & wish her the best. I am proud of the positive campaign @LNPQLD ran. I take full responsibility for it. At the party room on Tuesday I will not seek to continue as LNP leader. It is time for a new generation of LNP leaders.

— Tim Nicholls MP (@TimNichollsMP) December 8, 2017

“You put up your hand to serve your community, in whatever way you could, not just to make things better for your own family but for everyone in your community,” Ms Frecklington said.

“It’s why I entered politics and it’s why today I’m announcing that I’m putting up my hand to run for leadership of the LNP in Queensland.

“I have asked Tim Mander to run alongside me as deputy and he’s agreed.”

“My nomination offers an opportunity for the LNP to take a fresh approach that will allow us to reconnect with our community — an opportunity to forge a party that draws strongly on the LNP’s traditional values combined with a good dose of down-to-earth, commonsense ideas that will drive Queensland forward.”

“I pay tribute to Tim Nicholls for his hard work, dedication and leadership over the past 18 months. Politics is a tough game and Tim left nothing on the field in his drive to improve Queensland.”

Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday.

Earlier, Mr Nicholls released a statement confirming he had called Ms Palaszczuk to concede defeat.

“Earlier today, I rang Annastacia Palaszczuk and congratulated her on forming government,” Mr Nicholls said.

“I wished the Premier well for the future given the important role she now has to get on with building a better Queensland without delay.”

“While the result is disappointing for the thousands of LNP supporters, the MPs who did not hold their seats and the candidates who were not elected, everybody should be proud of the campaign we ran.”

“Our campaign was overwhelmingly positive and focused on the issues that most mattered to Queenslanders such as creating more local jobs and lowering the cost of living — in particular, electricity prices.”

“We focused on the future and not the past, but Labor’s massive advertising spend focused on fear. I accept and take full responsibility for the LNP’s campaign.”

Mr Nicholls also praised his Ms Frecklington.

“You are a fantastic local member, shadow minister, and deputy, and a passionate voice for all of Queensland,” he said. “I could not have done this job without your support, counsel and wisdom.”

Once Ms Palaszczuk will then hold a caucus meeting — possibly on Sunday — and her new cabinet will be sworn in, likely on Monday.

Sources have told The Australian that Deputy Premier Jackie Trad will replace Curtis Pitt as Treasurer, and Mr Pitt will move to the Speaker’s chair.

Factional wrangling has been going on this week to work out the new cabinet positions.