Lawrence Springborg calls emergency leadership meeting

Former Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney will move a spill motion for the positions of LNP leader and deputy leader.

Lawrence Springborg will almost certainly face a spill on Friday.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg has called an emergency partyroom meeting for Friday, staring down dissenters who want to overthrow his leadership.

Mr Springborg has brought forward Monday’s scheduled meeting, almost guaranteeing there will be a vote on a possible spill on Friday.

The main contenders are seen as former Treasurer Tim Nicholls, Education spokesman Tim Mander and current deputy John-Paul Langbroek.

Deb Frecklington is seen as the most likely deputy.

The text message to MPs from Mr Springborg reads:

“You would all be aware that in recent days there has been a lot of anonymous media commentary from a handful of colleagues about the direction of the LNP.”

“Given the ongoing nature of this commentary, I am keen to provide an early opportunity for any of these members to be able to raise their issues with you directly.

“I have therefore decided to bring forward our scheduled partyroom meeting to 11am this Friday.”

“I appreciate this will cause inconvenience to many of you.

“However, I believe it is important to bring forward this meeting given state parliament is sitting next week; given the LNP is kicking off its Toowoomba South by-election (campaign) this Saturday with our candidate endorsement; and given the reasonable prospects that a federal election could be underway by next Monday.

“I look forward to your attendance; and look forward to your ongoing support.”

Jeff Seeney won’t stand for either position. Picture: Jack Tran

Former Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney has gone further, emailing his colleagues to confirm he would move a spill motion for the positions of leader and deputy leader at Friday’s meeting. He won’t stand personally, he said.

The Australian revealed today that Mr Seeney had been offered the position of leader of Opposition business last week by Mr Springborg in an effort to keep him inside the tent. The move backfired, and Mr Seeney confronted Mr Springborg about his leadership.

His email to the MPs stated:

Colleagues

As you are aware a Party room meeting has been called for Friday. Unfortunately the advice regarding the special meeting did not indicate any intention to confirm the current leadership structure of the Party. Consequently I am advising you that I will move a motion at that special meeting calling for the positions of Leader and Deputy Leader of LNP Parliamentary team to be declared vacant and new nominations called for the positions.

I believe this is the appropriate course of action as the current leadership structure was decided upon some 14 months ago in extraordinary circumstances after a devastating election result and at a time when some believed there was a chance of the LNP forming a minority Government with the support of cross bench Members. That is clearly no longer the case and the Party must now consider whether the current leadership structure is appropriate to contest the next State election.

While I will not be a candidate for any position I believe putting this question to the special Party room on Friday will resolve this leadership issue and allow us to move forward towards winning the next election.

Jeff Seeney