By JONATHON HOWARD
RE-ELECTED member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg is being told by his ministerial colleagues and senior MPs that he has a clear run to return to the leadership, as debate centres around who will lead the besieged LNP party room in 2015.
While Mr Springborg, who lost three elections as Opposition Leader prior to the rise of the Newman Government, is emerging as the consensus candidate others include Scott Emerson MP and former state treasurer Tim Nicholls.
Mr Springborg has remained decidedly tight lipped on the matter, pending a final official LNP statement.
Meanwhile, Tim Nicholls who was tipped for the top spot and to form minority government, has offered Mr Springborg his support for the leadership of the party in part due to much-needed relationship building with minors Katter and Tony Wellington.
The leadership debate comes as LNP seeks options for the leadership in minority government or in opposition, depending on how the numbers add up in the race with the ALP to reach the required 45 seats.
As of Tuesday, 3 February, Labor held 43 seats, against 41 for the LNP from last Saturday’s historic State Election.
However, postal votes are yet to be tallied and a total of nine seats are either undecided or likely to be subjected to recounts.
Mr Springborg may be seen as the best option to negotiate with the two re-elected Katter’s Australia Party MPs and independent Peter Wellington.
Meanwhile, Mr Wellington has confirmed he had spoken to Mr Springborg, but would not say what was discussed.
However, both KAP and Mr Wellington have indicated they would not be prepared to support the LNP under Mr Nicholls’ leadership, should he take the reins.
Mr Springborg is not likely to face the prospect of leadership again lightly after he lost state elections in 2004 and 2006 to Mr Beattie, and in 2009 to Labor’s Anna Bligh.
Mr Newman’s deputy, Jeff Seeney, also a former state opposition leader, said yesterday the LNP must dump the program after voters rejected it emphatically.
“We went to the people of Queensland seeking a mandate for asset leases; we didn’t get that mandate,’’ he told media sources, confirming he would step down as deputy.
“So the question is gone.’’
