Campbell Newman’s ‘salesman’ Tim Nicholls banks on his pedigree

LNP leadership challenger Tim Nicholls is banking on his pedigree as a “proven fundraiser” to win votes.

 

Liberal National Party leadership challenger Tim Nicholls is banking on his pedigree as a “proven fundraiser”, along with the support of likely deputy leader Deb Frecklington, to win votes as he takes on Queensland Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg and former NRL referee Tim Mander.

None of the three contenders has a clear majority ahead of today’s emergency LNP partyroom meeting, but on some counts Mr Nicholls looks to be ahead, with all three camps frantically hitting the phones last night to make last-minute pitches to undecided colleagues.

Mr Nicholls, a former state treasurer, has told MPs that Ms Frecklington had locked in behind­ him as deputy — a strong incentive for rural MPs wary of backing the city-based Mr Nicholls or Mr Mander as leader. He is also believed to be spruiking his ability to attract deep-pocketed donors back to the party, after complaints that fundraising had faltered under Mr Springborg.

He would not confirm Ms Frecklington’s support, but told The Australian they were “good colleagues and friends”.

“I’d welcome her putting her hand up,” Mr Nicholls said.

“I hope my argument about my work ethic, my experience, my enthusiasm, my proven parliamentary and media performance, and my ability to campaign from a safe and secure base, will resonate with my colleagues.”

He is expected to face attacks for being the chief salesman of the Newman government’s failed $37 billion Strong Choices privatisation plan, but he pointed out yesterday that both Mr Mander and Mr Springborg were members of the cabinet that backed the policy.

Asked whether privatisation would form part of his policy platform should he win today’s tight contest, Mr Nicholls said it was time to “move on” from Strong Choices. “The people of Queensland gave us that decision and I accept­ that,” he said.

Mr Mander, who is understood to be former premier Campbell Newman’s preferred candidate, refused to be drawn on privatisation, and told The Australian Queenslanders were looking for a “whole fresh team, with fresh ideas, to lead the LNP into government at the next state election”, due by May 2018.

However, he denied telling backbenchers he would overhaul the current shadow cabinet and promote new blood if he became leader. “The changing leaders will be a significant enough adjustment: there will be some tweaking of course but we’ve got some really talented people in the shadow cabinet and most of those people will be retaining their positions,” Mr Mander said.

He insisted that his narrow margin in the Brisbane seat of Everton was a non-issue, but his colleagues disagreed. “It’s a ludicrous argument,” one MP said.

A regional MP got calls from all three parties and was still undecided last night. However, the MP said whoever had Ms Frecklington as deputy would likely receive support­. “That’s a key consideration for me,” the MP said.

At today’s meeting at Parliament House in Brisbane, former deputy premier Jeff Seeney will call a spill motion. It’s expected to be backed by a majority of the LNP’s 41 partyroom members.

The three contenders — Mr Springborg, backed by the party’s old guard; Mr Nicholls, with key shadow cabinet supporters; and Mr Mander, backed by the Christian Right — will then deliver a final speech.

To win the leadership, a contender must secure 21 votes. If that does not happen, the MP with the lowest tally will be dropped, and a second round of voting will occur. It is not a secret ballot.

Mr Springborg’s office said he was in a positive frame of mind and respectful of his colleagues’ views.