Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Qld LNP deputy bows out of leadership race
Queensland’s Liberal National Party deputy leader Tim Mander says he won’t contest the leadership or deputy leadership again.
November 3, 2020
Queensland Liberal National Party deputy leader Tim Mander has ruled himself out of the race to become the party’s next leader.
Opposition leader Deb Frecklington resigned on Monday following the party’s heavy defeat in Saturday’s state election.
Mr Mander also won’t contest the deputy leadership, saying it had been a “tremendous honour” to serve Ms Frecklington over the past three years.
“I won’t be putting my hand up as a contender in the leadership contest when the LNP party room meeting is convened,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I will not contest the deputy leadership either. Now is the time for stability.”
Mr Mander said he would continue to serve the people in his electorate of Everton and the party.
The opposition is set to lose three seats with Labor on track to win 51 seats as counting continues on Tuesday following the poll.
The LNP party room will meet after the final vote is tallied and a new leader will be appointed.
Broadwater MP and opposition tourism spokesman David Crisafulli confirmed he would contest the leadership, saying he would rebuild the party.
“I nominate as someone who can offer the discipline to hold the government to account and start the four-year task of preparing the LNP for government in 2024,” he said in a statement.