New Party Plan Signals Ongoing LNP Instability

Media Release.

 

Acting Opposition Leader, Tim Mulherin, says plans for a new political party by a former LNP MP prove the party is still bitterly divided.

“The suggestion by Gold Coast independent MP Alex Douglas that he will establish a new political party is a further sign of the chaos and instability that characterises the LNP after less than 10 months in office,” Mr Mulherin said.

“When you have someone as respected as Dr Douglas quit the LNP and then make plans for an alternative party, it suggests others in LNP are also sick and tired of the Newman Government’s arrogance and heavy-handed tactics.

“It shows what a mess this government has created since it was elected.

“This is a government whose leadership team — the Premier, Deputy Premier and the Treasurer — all refuse to listen to Queenslanders, especially those in regional Queensland.

“But they also refuse to listen to their own members.

“The LNP’s arrogance has led to this situation where it has so far lost three MPs and alienated more of its remaining members to the extent Dr Douglas feels more will quit the government.

“It proves that the instability within the Newman Government is not a product of its large — but shrinking — backbench. It’s a product of an arrogant and uncaring leadership team.

“It’s a government that started its term in an arrogant fashion refusing to listen, and it ended last year reaping the results of that arrogance with not only Queenslanders but its own members turning against it,” Mr Mulherin said.

He said the LNP’s arrogance in office was highlighted by the fact it was refusing to release the secret second report of the Costello Audit despite the fact taxpayers were lavishing $3,300 a day on Peter Costello.

“This is the same arrogant government that slashes and burns jobs and frontline services in regional communities yet managed to give itself a Christmas present of a new and unnecessary Executive Building in the Brisbane CBD,” he said.