Mander bows out, Crisafulli leans in: LNP leadership refresh shapes up
Deputy LNP leader Tim Mander has effectively stepped down from his leadership role, announcing he would not seek a return or shot at the top spot at a looming party room ballot.
The statement on Tuesday came moments before the firm favourite for the leadership, Broadwater MP David Crisafulli, confirmed he would nominate himself to take the party forward after a bruising third straight loss to Labor.
Tim Mander – with Deb Frecklington on the hustings – had been said to be considering whether his association with the losing campaign would count against him in a leadership bid.Credit:
After announcing at her election night concession speech that she intended to stay on as leader, Deb Frecklington changed tack on Monday and said she would convene the meeting after the official result in the Queensland election was declared.
Ms Frecklington will not recontest the leadership, with Mr Mander one of a handful of senior party members who had been tipped to again be in the running for a role.
But he put those rumours to rest on Tuesday, saying in a statement it had been a "tremendous honour" to serve as Ms Frecklington's deputy over the three years in Queensland opposition.
David Crisafulli has emerged as an early favourite for the party leadership.Credit:Harrison Saragossi
"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. "I will not contest the deputy leadership, either."
Mr Mander wished the new leadership team all the best and said now was the time for "stability and unity".
"I will serve in any capacity asked of me," he added.
"I want to thank my family for their unwavering support and the people of Everton for putting their faith in me for another four years."
Mr Crisafulli, a former Townsville deputy mayor and member for Mundingburra, had emerged as an early favourite for the leadership with a range of next-generation MPs potentially vying for the deputy role.
He confirmed in a statement of his own on Tuesday he would put himself forward as a candidate.
"I nominate as someone who can offer the discipline to hold the government to account and the energy to start the four-year task of preparing the LNP for government in 2024," he said. "Our party, our supporters and those who chose not to support us this time around deserve nothing less."
Mr Crisafulli, who has served as the member for Broadwater since 2017, said he would ask his colleagues for their support and share his plan for "rebuilding" in the coming days.
He also acknowledged the "tireless effort" of Ms Frecklington and Mr Mander over three years in opposition and throughout the campaign.
"Politics can be cruel and we are all hurting following Saturday's result," Mr Crisafulli said. "Deb and Tim can be proud of their work ethic and long days trying to secure victory for the LNP."
Mr Crisafulli, the party's environment and tourism spokesman, had previously served in Campbell Newman's cabinet before being ousted from the Townsville-based seat by Labor's now-retired Coralee O'Rourke in 2015.
He moved to the Gold Coast and was elected to the seat of Broadwater in 2017.
Those potentially vying to run as deputy include former police officer Dan Purdie, Moggill MP Christian Rowan, shadow attorney-general David Janetzki and Chatsworth MP Steve Minnikin.
With five seats still too close to call and official counting from the Electoral Commission of Queensland continuing, the meeting could be days away.
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Matt Dennien is a reporter with Brisbane Times.