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Liberal National Party of Queensland

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Liberalnationalparty (talk | contribs) at 02:59, 4 June 2011 (included preselection controversy). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Liberal National Party of Queensland
LeaderJeff Seeney (parliamentary)
Campbell Newman (election team)
PresidentBruce McIver
FounderBruce McIver
Founded2008
HeadquartersBrisbane
IdeologyConservative liberalism,
Liberal conservatism,
New Right
Political positionCentre-Right
ColoursBlue  
House of Representatives
21 / 150
Senate
3 / 76
Queensland Parliament
32 / 89
Website
http://www.lnp.org.au/

The Liberal National Party (LNP) is a political party in Queensland, Australia. It was formed by the merger of the Queensland divisions of the Liberal and National parties. It was approved by the Liberal State Council on 26 July 2008. The newly merged party is the Queensland division of the Liberal Party of Australia, and is affiliated with the National Party of Australia, and has a new constitution.[1] The LNP is now a ratified branch of the Liberal Party of Australia. Federal Queensland Liberal and National party representatives and senators remained affiliated to their respective parties until after the 2010 Federal Election, with senators retaining their affiliation until the new Senate sat in July 2011.[2][3]

After the July 2008 merger, the party had 25 members in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, the unicameral house of the Parliament of Queensland: 17 originally elected as National Party members, 8 originally elected as Liberal Party members. National Party leader Lawrence Springborg became Party Leader and Leader of the Opposition. Liberal Party leader Mark McArdle became Deputy Leader of the new party, and Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

The LNP lost the 2009 state election, with Springborg indicating he would step down as leader of the newly-formed party. John-Paul Langbroek was elected to the party leadership after the election, with Springborg becoming the deputy leader.[4] On 22 March 2011, Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman announced that he would seek preselection for the Labor-held seat of Ashgrove, and if successful, would challenge for the party leadership. Langbroek and Springborg resigned as leader and deputy leader on the same day, and as Newman was not a member of parliament, Jeff Seeney was elected as parliamentary leader, undertaking to cede the leadership to de facto leader Newman if he were elected to parliament.[5]

Party challenges

This kind of coup by an unelected citizen was unheard of in Australian politics[6] and seems to have paid off handsomely for the LNP according to a Galaxy poll conducted by the Sunday Mail on 27 march which showed a two-party preferred lead of 58-42 percent to the LNP over Labor.[7]Only slightly down on the previous Galaxy poll which had the LNP leading by a record 61 per cent to 39 on a two party preferred basis.[8] The next Queensland State Election is due in March 2012.

The unorthodox and sudden leadership change has also been the cause of great friction and disunity among LNP ministers. Including claims that the party bullied MP Norman Wicks who tried to run against Campbell Newman in a preselection contest. He was told that nominations had already closed.[9] A few LNP ministers have resigned the LNP, including Aidan McLindon who has formed a new Queensland political party after claiming factional bosses bullied him. The new rebel party is called the Queensland Party and was referred to the Electoral Commission of Queensland for registration in June 2010. MP Bob Katter has also threatened to create an opposing new party and was reported in the Courier Mail to have approached four LNP sitting members to discuss possible recruitment to the potential new party.[10] The new party has tentatively been named 'The Australian Party'.[11] Support for the creation of a new country party has come from Federal National Leader Barnaby Joyce who has welcomed Mr Katter's decision but is doubtful anything will come of it.[12]

The new coalition party has had growing pains. Four days after announcing the registration of the new Liberal National Party of Queensland a well-known Queensland Cybersquatter bought up several pertinent domain names that party bosses had intended to purchase. Lawyers were called in after an emergency meeting with domain expert Peter Black of Brisbane University of Technology failed to discover an alternative option for remedying the situation.[13] Attempts to shut down the unauthorised website these domains directed to only succeeded in provoking taunts from site owner Wayne Smith.[14] In May 2010 Mr Smith purchased the name of LNP leader John-Paul Langbroek.[15]

Even before the LNP was federally approved, factions began forming. The first instance of this was Liberal Party MPs claiming the new LNP was predominantly National in its policies. Many MPs threatened to break away and form a new Liberal Party if the merger couldn't be scuttled.[16] This first bump in the road was smoothed over by political bosses via mediation in closed Party meetings. Personal animosities hit a crisis level on April 14, 2011 when veteran MP Howard Hobbs referred to parliamentary leader Jeff Seeney as "the most hated man in the Bush".[17] Reflecting strong discontent in his electorate of Warrego over the coal seam gas industry and a feeling of abandonment among rural Queensland communities generally.[18] This was followed mid-march by the LNP presenting an amendment Bill to State Parliament seeking the abolition of exploration permits all across the Darling Downs west of Brisbane. A motion defeated due to a lack of political numbers in the chamber.[19]

Threats to the organisation have also arrived in the form of the Queensland Party and Bob Katter's Australian Party. These are going to be among the first major tests for Campbell Newman's leadership. In response to media attention on the issue Mr Newman declared that "The LNP has never been so strong and united."[20] and regarding Bob Katters yet to be registered 'Australian Party' also dismissed the threat of possible poaching from his team with "they're all very happy in the LNP".[21]

On 31 May 2011 Geoff Greene, a former Liberal Party director, filed a lawsuit against the Liberal National Party of Queensland for $1 million.[22] His complaints of being short-changed and having his reputation destroyed were supported by federal liberal member Nick Minchin. Mr Greene was expelled from the party in April along with Gary Hargraves, although Hargraves' suspension is only a temporary two year term. LNP President Bruce McGiver has replied that the LNP "will vigorously defend this action and make a counter-claim". Mr McGiver faces legal troubles of his own. The Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission is investigating claims that he attempted bribing Moggill MP Bruce Flegg into making way for Newman by not standing as a candidate.[23]

On 2 June 2011 de facto party leader Newman stated at a Gold Coast business conference that the Queensland's Liberal National Party won't be supporting a carbon tax unless it's part of a global action. This contentious policy is expected to further divide the party.[24]

Policies

On 29 May 2011 Newman told reporters "What I will be saying to the party room... is that all policies that have been previously announced are essentially null and void," [25]

Whether this also applies to policies previously announced by Newman himself is unclear.

Freezing of motor registration costs: on 25 May 2011 Newman declared that an LNP Government would freeze vehicle registration charges to help ease cost-of-living pressures if elected.[26]

No carbon tax: on 2 May Newman said "We will not at all support a carbon tax at any time unless it's part of a global compact where everyone is on a level playing field," in a speech detailing his economic vision for the state of Queensland.[27]

Royalties for regions and a return of funding to local communities: on 11 April Newman said that although he couldn't provide details about his plans to increase investment in places like Moura, he was in favour of royalties for regions and a return of funding to local communities. “They see coal trains going over the horizon with the wealth, but its not coming back.” he told a reporter.[28]

Coal seam gas industry: on 15 April 2011 Newman spoke of his concerns over the impact CSG could have on good farming land. "Under an LNP government, coal seam gas wells and pipelines could only be built on land in ways that do not compromise the ability to work farms on prime agricultural land", Mr Newman declared. Claiming further that he'd introduce policies that would protect farmers. "We have some principles that will absolutely be unassailable, that will be there to protect agriculture".[29]

Amalgamation of bulk water bodies: On 24 March Newman stated that he would cut the state's bulk water bureaucracies and collect debt over a longer time to lessen consumer prices, "What I'm committing to is firstly we need to amalgamate the five bulk water (bodies) that were set up, save all the money in the administrative costs, we need to write off the non-performing assets, we need to repay the debt for these water assets over a 40-year period, not a 20-year period," he said.[30]

Roads: Mr Newman has repeatedly stated his intention to spend more money on Queensland roads if he wins the next state election, but has yet to give details on how he will fund this very expensive promise.[31]


Parliamentary leaders

Leader Term Leader's seat
Jeff Seeney 2011–present Callide
John-Paul Langbroek 2009–2011 Surfers Paradise
Lawrence Springborg 2008–2009 Southern Downs

Deputy leaders

Deputy Leader Term Deputy's seat
Tim Nicholls Incumbent Clayfield
Lawrence Springborg 2009–2011 Southern Downs
Mark McArdle 2008–2009 Caloundra
Fiona Simpson 2008 Maroochydore

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Liberal National Party of Queensland.

References

  1. ^ Calligeros, Marissa (2008-07-28). "New political force for Queensland". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 2008-07-28. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ "Constitution of the LNP" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  3. ^ "House of Representative candidates for the electorate of Hinkler (Qld)". Aec.gov.au. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  4. ^ By Jessica van Vonderen (2009-04-02). "Langbroek wins LNP leadership: ABC News 2/4/2009". Abc.net.au. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  5. ^ "New LNP leaders to front parliament". SBS. 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  6. ^ Bruce Woolley "LNP's Newman plan clever flood politics" ABC News
  7. ^ Patrick Lion "Campbell Newman set to beat Anna Bligh in Queensland election, Galaxy poll reveals" Courier Mail
  8. ^ "Voters say LNP can do it"Courier Mail
  9. ^ Jessica Marszalek and Gabrielle Dunlevy"Rocky road to govt for Campbell Newman"The Age
  10. ^ Patrick Lion "Rebel LNP MPs discuss forming a new political party with maverick federal independent Bob Katter" The Courier Mail
  11. ^ Tony Koch and Rosanne Barrett "Bob Katter's new party plan: we will deliver" The Australian
  12. ^ "Good luck, Bob – Barnaby Joyce on Bob Katter and the plan for a new national party" Australian Conservative
  13. ^ Matt Wordsworth "LNP calls in lawyers over rogue website" ABC news
  14. ^ Gabrielle Dunlevy "Cybersquatter causes headaches for LNP" Brisbane Times
  15. ^ Cameron Atfield "Cybersquatter sets sights from Bindi to JPL" Brisbane Times
  16. ^ Greg Roberts "Lib rebels threaten party to rival LNP" The Australian
  17. ^ "Seeney most hated man in the bush: LNP MP" ABC
  18. ^ "LNP dissent will blow over: Newman" ABC news
  19. ^ Troy Rowling "Mining minister says LNP tactics too dramatic" Queensland Country Life
  20. ^ AAP "LNP leader Campbell Newman has dismissed criticism" The Australian
  21. ^ "Katter airs mining fears amid new party plans" ABC
  22. ^ Michael McKenna "LNP sued for $1m on party purge" The Australian
  23. ^ Daniel Hurst "LNP boss faces bribery probe" Brisbane Times
  24. ^ "Qld LNP won't support carbon tax -Newman" Big Pond News
  25. ^ Jessica Marszalek and Petrina Berry "All current LNP policies 'null and void': Newman declares new beginning" Brisbane Times
  26. ^ Steven Wardill "Motorists are treated like cash cows, says LNP leader Campbell Newman" Courier Mail
  27. ^ "Qld's LNP won't support carbon tax: Newman" Sydney Morning Herald
  28. ^ Jessica Burke "Campbell Newman re-evaluating QLD mining policies" Australian mining
  29. ^ "Newman's eyes on Qld's CSG industry" Big Pond news
  30. ^ Steven Wardill "Campbell Newman's water prices plan at odds with LNP policy" Courier Mail
  31. ^ Jolee Wakefield"I know regional Queensland: Newman"News Mail
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