By TANIA PHILLIPS
NATIONAL party candidate for the seat of Maranoa, Southern Downs based politician David Littleproud, has praised the efforts of his state counterpart Lawrence Springborg in bringing cohesion to the party after the last state election loss 14 months ago.
Mr Littleproud was speaking after Mr Springborg lost the LNP leadership in a ballot in Brisbane Friday morning 6 May.
The Southern Downs MP was replaced by Tim Nicholls as the new Opposition Leader in Queensland.
Tim Mander was knocked out in the first round of voting, receiving only 10 votes, to Mr Springborg’s 17 and Mr Nicholls’ 14.
In the second and final round, Mr Nicholls secured 22 to Mr Springborg’s 19.
Mr Littleproud, whose prospective Federal seat includes the Southern Downs, admitted to being disappointed.
He said: “From a local perspective we are disappointed but by the same token we are still very proud of what he’s done to unify the party.” And for the work he had done to see the party’s popularity increase in the polls, Mr Littleproud continued.
“I know the members of the party and of the broader community of the Southern Downs are very proud,” Mr Littleproud said.
Mr Littleproud said despite the spill he believed that Mr Springborg still had a lot to offer the people of the Southern Downs and Queensland.
NSW Lismore MP Thomas George, who’s electorate is straight across the border from Mr Springborg’s, was full of praise for the efforts of his Queensland counterpart.
“I have known Lawrence since his election and we have had a great cross-border relationship and this has never changed over this time during any position Lawrence has held, he has always put his electorate first,” said Mr George, who’s electorate takes in Murwillumbah through to Tenterfield.
“Whenever we have met, Lawrence has always been respectful, constructive and helpful with all matters. He has assisted me with representations on the Mt Lindesay Highway (Woodenbong-Legume Road), a connecting road to our electorates.
“Our working relationship and friendship will continue but it would be remiss of me to not publicly acknowledge Lawrence’s hard work as leader.
“I also extend my best wishes to the new team led by Tim Nicholls and Deb Frecklington and know they will continue the strong fight to keep the Qld Labor Government held to account.”
STATEMENT
LAWRENCE Springborg and John-Paul Langbroek issued a joint press statement following their shock loss of the LNP leadership and deputy position.
“It has been a great honour to lead the LNP to an election winning position,” the statement read.
“We are very confident Tim Nicholls and Deb Frecklington will deliver for Queenslanders at the next State Election with an LNP victory.
“When we were elected by our colleagues in 2015, the LNP at a Parliamentary and organisational level – along with over a million LNP supporters – were extremely despondent and disappointed following an inexcusable election loss after just one term in government.
“Together with the support of our members, our Parliamentary colleagues and Queenslanders themselves, we have built up the LNP and steered our party into an extremely strong electoral position against a Labor Government that is frozen at the wheel and unable to deliver economic confidence and the jobs that go with it.
“After just 18 months in Opposition, the LNP now consistently polls in an election winning position and our membership and supporters across Queensland are fired up and ready to start delivering for Queensland again with an LNP government.
“The support of Queenslanders everywhere and the support of our rank and file members has been nothing short of inspiring; and we thank them for that.”
