Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) stalwart Lawrence Springborg has been elected president of the party at the state convention in Brisbane.
Mr Springborg, currently the Mayor of Goondiwindi in southern Queensland, was a long-serving state MP and became the first leader of the LNP when the two parties merged in 2008.
He returned to the LNP leadership in 2015, but was ousted in a leadership spill and retired from state politics in 2016.
Mr Springborg was dumped as one of three party trustees last year amid internal turmoil in the party.
After the vote at the convention, Mr Springborg said he was thankful for members' support.
"I'm very, very privileged to have been elected the president of the Liberal National Party of Queensland," he said.
"The role of an organisational leader is a voluntary position; we shouldn't be commentators on matters of public policy or the day-to-day discussions.
"That's a matter for the people that are elected officials."
A senior LNP MP said Mr Springborg was a safe pair of hands and a stabilising influence in the party.
Another senior LNP source agreed and said Mr Springborg was an icon of the party.
"He understands politics and the fact that decisions made by the organisation can have political ramifications," the source said.
Mr Springborg was elected Mayor of Goondiwindi in 2020 and plans to continue in the role while he is LNP president.
Amanda Cooper was elected vice-president of the party while Natalie Marr was elected regional vice-president.
It comes after the LNP's powerful President's Committee was abolished after an overwhelming vote from members on Friday.
The scrapping of the committee at the three-day convention was described by one senior LNP MP as a result of "overwhelming anger with current management".
Infighting and tension between the party's executive team and parliamentary members boiled over after the 2020 state election defeat — its third straight loss to Labor.
'Historic moment' for LNP: Opposition Leader
In a speech to members at the convention on Saturday, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said it was "an historic moment" for the LNP.
ABC News: Lucas Hill
)"This weekend, we are here to represent our members and put in place the reforms needed to make the LNP ready for government in 2024," he said.
"This weekend, it is vital we take the time to look closely at ourselves and assess how we can improve, how we can make ourselves better able to serve Queenslanders.
"It is equally vital that after this weekend – the time has come: we must stop talking about ourselves.
"While there may be some curiosity for our internal machinations, ultimately Queenslanders want to hear from us about how we will help them with the issues that impact their everyday lives."
He said the McArdle Scarr review, a post-mortem conducted by former state MP Mark McArdle and Senator Paul Scarr in the aftermath of the October election loss, reflected a push for change from grassroots members.
"At its core, it is a reflection of the membership's desire for real action to reform this party," Mr Crisafulli said.
"It is a reflection captured at countless meetings with members across the state, all crying out for the changes needed to see our party elected to government and begin the process of healing Queensland."
Acting president stood aside from vote amid 'mood for change'
Initially, three people were in the running for the presidency including Mr Springborg, acting Queensland LNP president Cynthia Hardy and Tim Wright.
Supplied: LNP
)However, Ms Hardy stood aside from today's ballot for the party presidency after yesterday's vote to abolish the president's committee.
In an email to members last night, Ms Hardy announced she would be withdrawing her name amid the "members' strong mood for change and the need for unity".
"With the retirement of regional vice-president Cameron O'Neil after years of service, and honorary legal advisor Maggie Forrest not continuing in her role, this decision will give the party a seamless leadership change," she wrote.
"I have remained steadfast in my commitment to speak directly to you, the members of our great party – not through the media — and I wanted you to hear this decision directly from me.
"Of course, I will continue to serve the LNP and our values to the best of my ability."
Ms Hardy was elected as the LNP's first female president last year after having served as a party vice-president for more than a year.
She was elevated to the top executive job after the sudden departure of David Hutchinson.
Mr Hutchinson stepped down following months of senior politicians, including federal MP Peter Dutton, calling for his resignation over his role in trying to destabilise former state LNP leader Deb Frecklington.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTA3LTI0L2xhd3JlbmNlLXNwcmluZ2JvcmctZWxlY3RlZC1sbnAtcHJlc2lkZW50LWhpc3RvcmljLW1vbWVudC8xMDAzMjA0MjjSAShodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTAwMzIwNDI4?oc=5
2021-07-24 06:03:14Z
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