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3/10/2021 Courier Mail, Saturday, February 27, 2021, pages from 3 to 3

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SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 27.2021 $3.00 INCL GST If COURIERMAILCOMJ^U

Within POWER. TREACHERY AND THE LNP ------A Peter Gleeson investigation

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^YOUKR POISON PEN & THE 'S USELESS DEPUTY mUBER musEOFamos INSIDE A PDUTiCAl EXECUTION JflW-imOPRNG SECRET KHUnOIVRE THE CULTURE IS ROTTEN'

https://metros.smedia.coin.au/thecouriermail/PrintPages.aspx?doc=NCCM/2021/02/27&from=3&to=3 1/1 3/10/2021 Courier Mail, Saturday, February 27, 2021, pages from 4 to 5

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Tim Nicholls, , former Premier and former LNP Bixice McIver.

MYSTERY POISON LETTER ALLEGEDMISCONDl^ Hierarchy’s bizarre bid to oust Seeney

as part of a special in-depth in­ said to be in the letter - which LNP is in for a vary bleak fu­ sas-snatton Jolin-Paid wing during the Newman gov­ vestigation which has exposed was never shown to Seeney - ture,” he said. .Lao^wek when lie refesed to ernment era as “more stress­ extraordinacy dysfimctioo and the former deputy premier lite special joint investiga­ pt^ftfeise the 2011 fkxMfe: ful” than dealing with the THE LNP hierarchy tried to turmoil within the party over wrote to the LNP's state tion between The Saturday ■ Then premie? Anna RHgh Labor ; push out its own deputy prem­ the past decade. executive and demanded that Courier-Mail, The Sunday rang Uito-state secrecy An- ■ Party sources say a grass- ier during the Newman era At the same time, then then party president Bruce Mail and Sky News reveals a thojty Cfeistioim and saW she rocds-led revolt is happening after receiving an anony­ deputy premier Jeff Seeney McIver resign. party in cri^, beset by inter­ was g*Mig to cai a sai^ Sec­ among branch members who mous poiscm letter which in­ was fedng sep^te internal Seeney is one of several nal sqtiabljies and deqi div­ tion when Brislwje Lorf are "Ijaying for Wood" after cluded unsuhstantj^fted claims party pie^ure after he refused senior figures now pushing for ision, fuelled by anger at the M^or C^npte^l Newmsn the election loss. about personal and pro­ to 2<)prave a rail line and offer a major dean-out of the powerful hierarchy. W’'as parachuted to to reptece Several party elders say ex­ fessional indiscretions sen­ up tor sale a Sunshine Coast party’s organisational wing in Today we csan reveal: Lan^oek ss LNP i^det. She tensive reform is vital if the ior Cabinet figures. (mrcel of land to billionaire the wake of the 2020 state s A furious clash with party was talked ouKft- parly is to reclaim electoral The Saturday Courier-Mail Clive Palmer. election loss. poweriMoker Barry O’Sullivim ■ S^ey described dealing success, particularly in the has uncovered die bombshell Outmged at the alleg^ftions ‘‘Unless there's change, the set in train the political as- wftfe the party organUadond rtate’soipftaL

trouble brewing sid Spra^iboiito ructions. Twa cixdit^by- while JotobRml Langton is FreckirtgtoR bMectod toe resi^the leadership decfion ddieaitser^wni a elected deputy state's tet rsoo-Lsfeor • May, 2008: LfoeraJ. the l(»s. John-Pat^ Langbroek • £imi0XlW12:L^b t^tZOIS stole elecfion • May, 201b: Mr ^mr^borg Nation^ partis vote to ma-ge def^ Mr 2md olditemted as Newman leads would foHow c^ls^ INP leader^ spai •EtectionlOlOiMs after 10 years in Opposition Fiona ^mpson In a secreft die LNP to a massive victory, • Election 2OM: ThelNPis months of toide^'p extsndfe ter • duly,200B: Ll^ Is formed b^ot to beewrve leaKler v«mia%78seatsto L^or^s bootodfrom office. Iixdng^ specxdafion. Mr ttowmm’s gweming on the bsdt wito Nationals MF Lawrence • Martdh, 2011: Brisbarve lord seven. It’s theOrst t^e the seats, including Mr Neuma n In tormer TrB^jrer ofh©rC0V«>1®he^ S^»lhgborgLabor seat of widespread r^rmn. but its daddies 1^ poitkad leads the party toa lo^ • 2B2D: Forma* swtog to pick up 11 new seats, i Asl^ove. and then tte LNP move to sack U.OOO pti^c against Ms Falaszczuk. Iostr% Newman govormient rnintster howew Arma Labor leadership servants whSepicI^ * J^xuary« Forma^ dree seats bdbre announch^ David CrtsafuHi is^cted LNP I « Newman wins ur^Mjpidar wifh doctors leackr Lawrence is he’ll stand down leader. He’somadered the <» March* 2009: Fdlov^ I {^esdedfoavpromplmg and jud^ i^em causes reinstated to rebidid the p»ty • December, 2017: Ms bert dwice to ljA>or

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Within i oj Why the LNP just can’t win

PCTERGlEESdN 2012-15. He portrays a COMMQIT dysfunctional, interfering state exeoitwe, alle^ng it strayed IF THEY can't own you, th^ into policy matters when it get rid of you. was not warranted or With those words, a veteran welcomed. LNP insider sums up the Queensland not only feeling among most state MPs deserves a solid opposition but about the organisational wing it is an absolute necessity for of the i^y and its attitude to good policy and governance. its pariianienlaiy team. Hie thousands of members Any sign of dsloyalty is and volunteers who pul their mrt with swift retribution. money and resources into This leaves current LN P seeing a conservative leader David Crisafulli in a government elected deserve to difficult position. know the truth. Clearly, he was the current They saw a political party state executive’s guy to replace essentially put the w hite flag Deb Freckiington. Yet, there is up last year and, even worse, an overwhelming belief that they saw a concerted attempt unless there's wide^read to oust the leader. Deb change at the top, itwillbe Freckiington, six months out more mediocrity leading into from the poll. It says a lot the 2024 election. about the arrogance and self­ The party’s organisational assuredness of party wing has won one state election powerbrokers that they even since1998, andtheLNPhas thought they could get awiw tan^iished in of^ition for 73 with such a stunt of the past 31 years. Having been successful in The parly's rank and file 2011 with the political deserve better . If the LNP was a&sassination than leader an ASX-listed company, the Jdm-Paul Langbroek, they iKrard and CEO would have thoughtthqf could get away been gone a bog time ago. with it again. The big (gestionis - why This time, s^ party are members being asked to insiders, they wenttoo far. David CrtsafuHi and former leacf^ Deb put up With being outplayed by It is important to also Ffc^llnftcm (tnpX* former leader JotiThPaul a Labor Parly that has been highlight the fact that the Langbroek (rl^t): Clive Palmer (abm/e). beset with fiscal and integrity parliamentaiy wing of the woes that should have had LNP is not without bteme. them dispatched to the It must rel'omi its policies to opposition benches years ago? bestter reflect the mood of the ft is cfevious from the first members. But there is of a three-pait series published undeniable evidence that this in The Courier-Mail that the is an organisation run like a LNP has a clear choice. fiefdom, and anybody with It can stick with the status dissenting views to the key quo and be consigned in the players is either ostracised or medium to long teem to more excised. years in the political That is not how a LNP fit for government,” he Sources dose to Crisafulli wilderness. Of it can democratic political compromise on both sides. said. “ I want to give Queens­ say he has encountered modernise its structure and party should work But figures within the hier­ He has told his shadow land what it need^ I am deter­ “genuine anger” among mem­ personnel and become a , It might be OK in archy ckim MPs are realty to Cabinet to get out and talk to mined to do that bers about what happened united fighting madiine that ’ i North Korea, but blame for the electoral disas­ members to reflect contem­ *1 believe we can win (in during 2020. will give Labor a run for its f notin ters and should be taldng re­ porary policy. 2024). We must win. We neM “He knows change is com­ mon^ in 2024. Queensland. sponsibility for the failing He has also hit the ground to be ready to fix the fiscal ing - he knows that” a col­ Former deputy premier Jeff “Tlie state team are the ronning, travelling exten­ malaise of this government. league said. Seen^ makes the claim issue and even now, they ai^ sively to talk to regional party “Getting the parliamentary It is understood that McIv­ tt^y that the party tiying to blame anyone but members about his aspira- and organisational wings of er - who many claim is still headquarters caused themselves.” one figure said. tionsinthetopjob. the parly rowing in the same heavily influential - regards cabinet more stt^ Responding to the revela­ “Everything 1 do in the direttion is paramount. Crisafulli as the party’s great and distress than tions, new LNP leader David weeks, months and years “That’s my mantra. That’s hope and the answer to its pol­ Labor when they were Crisaiuili said there must be ahead i& about getting the what I intend to do.” itical failings. in government from ------

CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 SPEOM Tomorrow's Sunday Mail and at Monday's Courier-Mail and at couriermail.com.au from 7pm tonight courfermail.com.au from 7pm Sunday

Three days of gripping • MOMENT WHICH k • CAN WOUNDED LNP HEAL? SPARKEDA \ Elders reveal journalism uncovering the REVOLUTION 7; what. needs to news drama behind Queensland’s] Vy nHlN Inside Story happen now Frecklington's ‘ alternative government election 1 I SUBSCRIBE TODAY FOR NEWS YOU CAN TRUST couriennail.com.au/subscribe

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Betrayal all part of. the gam THE LIBERAL-NATIONAL PARTY *TYJ™5 raf imS BEEN AN UNEASY TRUCE, BUT THE EXTENT OF fflEINIM

HAS ONLY NOW COME TO LIGHT.

ou’re a usele^ eyes of O’Sullivan, then LNP catastrophe, Cydone Yasi, Queensland. But a decade on, a speciality for the INF's Freckiington - has brought c„t and we’re treasurer, was a strategic devartated north the party is a powderkeg of backroom, its state executwe. the LNP to bofling point goingto get rid decision to lie low and avoid Queensland, and then LNP distrust and vengeance. Think Netflix’s House of And atthe heart of the of you/snarled politicising the floods. president Bruce McIver The demise of Langbroek's Cards, Queensland style. party's dysfiinction and LNP But O’Sullivan told stunned many party elders leadership might well be a The role of the all­ drama is the large and pmvetbrokefBanry Langbroek that he should be when he made the footnote in the long and powerful backroom bosses in enduring shadow cast by YO’Sullivan. "hiring a chopper and extraordinary decision to go colourfi.il story of $ieensland the latcist political disaster- Clive Frederick Palmer. ltwasJaniwry2011. heading up to Toowoomba". to Parliament House to conservative politics, but it the attempted political 'The malignant brown O*si^ivan today disputes publicly lambaste Langbroek. foretold the Wchbveflian ex^iition and failed T-KING ocean which swallowed he swore or threatened It was a move which posturing which has become campaign of Deb AMATEURHOUR* riverside suburte Lan^roek, howevar the showed im extraordinary Even fmr the ruthless, had barely drained from conversation was confirmed disconnertbetwesn the LNP transactional world of sodden homes. ty others in the room. organisational wing - which politics, the level of hatred Toowoomba and the "Get out to Kedfon (the was fixated on lan^roek and felt by some key current Lockyer Valley hadn’t yet home of the Emergency what th^ feared was a political and former MPs towards found all their dead, let alone Services) and kick down the dfearter- and ordinary the party’s organisartkraal buried them. doorand demand a briefing," C^eenslandets- who were wing is red hot But in a Brisbane office, a O’Sullivan said. fixated on natural disasters. "It’s a cabal,” one says. pugnacious political Believing that politicking By the end of March, Another MP confided: “It’s headkkker wiOi longjowls and during the disaster wou ld Langbroek’s leadership was L..g amateur hour.” a short fuse was silencing backfire. Langbroekfatally dead and Brisbane Lord The disintegration of the LNP leader John-Paul and fatefully stood his Mayor Can^ell Newman LNP dectoral prospects in Langbroek to political death. ground. bad been parachuted in as Queensland, insiders say, is Langbroek had been What followed would party leader. simply because of a power comfortably ahead of labor's change the course of Ihe all-powerful game at the top. in the polls and Queensland history. backroom bosses ofthe LNP “These people are was on track to become the The next hvo months were had spoken. volunteers. can be next premier when Mother messy - and bloody - within The move was designed to v^ poweriui if they want Nature intervened. theLNP- set the LNP for a to be. and once they get a His unforgivable sin, in the Another natural generation in power in tasteofwhat they can do, it’s game on/a former MP said i. In the corporate world, if a company is in tHMibleitlsthe You’re a useless c-t and we’re shareholders who determine the fate of going to get rid of you I boards, k Butinthemodern- LHP FOW£nanOK£n BARRY GSULttVAflt LAStnNG THEtli LNP LEASER I day LNP, the JOHN’PAUL LANGBROEK J I shareholders are the 7'

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https://metros.smedia.com.au/thecouriermail/PrintPages.aspx?doc=NCCM/2021/02/27&from=6&to=7 ^12 3/10/2021 Courier Mail, Saturday. February 27, 2021, pages from 6 to 7

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OJOmVBE FROM TOP LEFTjJdn^Pmd Lsrtgt^oek after Cydmie Yash Bruce McIver and Jeff Seef^x; Lan^iroek

foiraer Weraler Aimal^^ during the 2011 floods; INP pou^Nbfoker Bmiy 0*^{Bv3n.

FBI, studying and profiling Former opposition leader serial killers. Tim Nicholls and foraier The boy from the bush and deputy premier Jeff Seeney. lifelong cattleman also who hailed from Monto in became a shrewd develop the North Burnett, are others and O'Sullivan boasted a who are known within the portfolio of abo ut 50 party to be deeply critical of investment properties l^ the the organisation wing. time he was handed a Senate Prominent senators seat in 2014. , James G’Sullivan used Ids McGrath and maiden speech to parliament are all understood lo be to brag about his penchant incredibly frustrated with the for troublemaking. LNP’s most recent stale “In Irish folklore, those election result. blessed with the surname O’Sullivan caused disruption BLIGH’S PANIC and strife,” be said. The political events of early “Accordingly, I feel ray 2011 after two natural involvement in their ranks to disasters remain significant be a good fit.” today because they echoed However his career in through to 2020- when was cut down Freckiington was behind in after he was beaten by one the pbHs in the middle of the vote by Susco McDonald for COVlD-19 crisis. the coveted second Senate After the devastating spot in 2019. It was a win for Brisbane floods, an forces who sharpened their empathetic and strong knh'es because of Ids premier Biigh - and Labor, poJarisingn^ure. which had been trailingthe In the middle of it all is LNP 42-58 2PP in one poll- Palmer, the multi-billionaire received a remarkable spike former life member who was in popularity volunteers and members and Former leader Tim Home Affairs Minister legal adviser Bernard a National Party campaign After the floods came they're powerless to act Nichoiis was one who spoke, , was so Ponting - a Gold Coast director during the Sir Job Cyclone Yasi in north And dissenters are but it was an exasperated incensed by a bungled lawyer- and O’Sullivan, Bjelke-Petersen era. Queensland and. once again, banished, suspended by the Langbroek who asked the move on Frecklington's Trucking magnate McIver, Once one of the party’s Ms Biigh was out there every greatestbackers, he bec^e party executive for daring to question of the day. leadership by the state who at 19 started as a driver night on the 6pm news, speak publicly. “What happens when they executive 20 weeks from for his family’s transport one of its great enemies, telling Queenslanders to be then help^ "If these guys were a listed tire of this bloke ” he said, polling day that he publicly business based near Daiby stoic and resilient. company, they'd aU be gone," pointing a finger at new demanded then president before building up the gel back into the Lodge in Again, there was a big said one MP. “Th^^ have leader, Crisafulli Dave Hutchinson quit his operation and later becoming 2019 but remains head of a spike in her popularity presided over mediocrity and post over the failed coup. a leading industry figure, was rival political party while ratings, while Langbroek^ treacheiy foryears ” THEPLAYERS While current president president from the merger in maintaining business fortunes dipped. An investigation for The For a political baby that was Cynthia Hardy - a small 2008 to 2015. relationships with key Fearing another "defeat Saturday Courier- Mail, 'fhe conceived in large part to businesswoman and He was appointed to the LNP figures. from the jaws of victory” Sund^g^ Mail and Sky N^ deliver conservative state grandmother of nine who board of Post by Mc Iver remains on moment similar to the one has gained a deep insight into governments in Queensland, rose through the party after and has Palmer’s books while they had endured In 2009 the war within the LNP and the LNP is leading a troubled chairing its Toowoomba had a long business Hutchinson was when Biigh overcame the fractures which young life. South branch - took over the association with Clive controversially employed by Lawrence Sprin^rg, senior party figures panick^ and conservative stalwarts fear Losing four of the presidency when Hutchinson Palmer, serving as a director the tycoon while serving as will even destroy the party’s following five state elections finally fell on his sword, on Palmer companies. LNP president started the process of chances of takmg is hardly what Bruce McIver insiders insist the party is in McIver says he hasn’t had Former president Gary drafting the huj^fy popular government in 2024. had in mind when, as effect run by an “old guard” anything to do with die day- Spence is also said to be part Campbdl Newman to run as to^ay running of the LNP After interviews with more founding president after the that clings to power of the leadershi p group. opposition leader. than^ key players, it isclear 2008 merger of the The party, multiple since he left as president More broadly in the party, Their rational was simple- this is a f^rty in cris is. Nationals and Liberals, he insiders claim, has lost its But others insist that ns a ex-premier we giveth and we can taketh Inone of the great ironies heralded the park’s birth as moral and ethical compass, life member, he remains a remains a voice of reason, and away after backing of Q ueensland politics, it’s a the" beginning of hope for the with the use of an effective strong and influential figure. then there's the Liberal Langbroek for leader. power struggle whfeh is people of Queensland”. star chamber to interrogate Fellow poweibroker Party’s old guard, headed up O’Suliivan insists he did costing them power. There have been some potential candidates a O'Sullivan is one tough by the warhorse, former not use colourful language At a recent Sunshine Coast exceptional successes. pivotal part of the cookie. Growing up in the senator Santo Santoro. with nor threaten Langbroek, but in a nod to his touih LNP "love-in” of sitting MPs The LNP played a key role intimidation process. area, he left The enmity between - aimed at coming up with an in catapulting Scott Morrison So who are some of these school at 14 and, after former Nationals image, admits people will be election winning strategy to back into the Lodge against backroom players who struggling as a cadet sfcrongmenwho haveheld unlikely to believe him. take new leader David all odds in 2019 when it exercise so much power journalist on the Longreach an iron grip on the party “I know I’m renowned for Crisafulli to power - the capti«ed23 of Queensland’s Within the party? Leader, joined a road­ administration and the city­ my colourful language but dysftinctional relationship 30 federal seals, leading to Among the members of building crew in the Gulf. based liberals is toxic. John-Paul was the o^iosition leader and 1 r^pect^ that between party headquarters the PM’s famous refrain: the party's “old guard” are A police detective for 15 Among Santoro's alli^ are and the pariMmentary wing “How good is Queensland”. McIver. Hutchinson, state years, he undertook a Dutton an d fornier federal and Ididnotusethat was discussed w hen MPs But the party’s soiled director Michael O’Dwyer, research scholarship with the MP Gary Hardgrave, language.” hesaidL were asked to characterise laundry was on show just “Nobody will bdieve me SUBSCRIBE TODAY FOR NEWS YOU CAN TRUST the major diallenges facing over a year later when its $1 FOR 28 DAYS the party. most .senior federal MP, couriwniaii.com.au/stjbsaibe

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’"‘WXDWithin W ‘rotten culture’ of

OIOFS

based on my past record but that’s the truth.” One insider smd Langbroek wou W have Mill won theetection; “Langbroek was a really good opposition leader and he may not have won by as much as Campbell did, but maybe that wouldn’t have been such a bad thing.” “Biigh’s numbers were always going to spike after the floods and YasL That’s what happens in Queensland,” they said. “But they were always going to comeback and I have no doubt that if they dkin’t axe John-Paul, he’d be premier still today.” The March 2011 ascension of Newman seemed, at the time, to be an LNP backroom masterstroke. It certainly rattled I>abor. The Saturday Courier­ Mail can reveai Biigh wanted to call a snap election the day Newman took over as leader. A well-placed Labor source revealed Biigh made an urgent call to then state secretary Anthony Chisholm and told him she was going to call an election that day. Chisholm drove to George in Annastada Palaszczuk If priority for Newman, dramatic enough; Newman Street to see the premier. the LNP had turned Nteholls and Seeney'. ejqplosively claimed Palmer “He counselled against Kjuandering opportunities When representations had sought to use LNP party going straight aw ay/the into an artform. Labor did the were made to have certain people *10 put pressure on source said. “She took his opposite. projects looked upon the government over a range advice. With the benefit

https://metros.smedia.com.au/thecouriermail/PrintPages.aspx?doc=NCCM/2021/02/27&from=8&to=9 A12 3/10/2021 Courier Mail, Saturday, February 27, 2021, pages from 8 to 9

"WMOWiTHINI 07

66 -I •41 f 1 have paid a lot of money to get you guys >1 i elected and I have a lot I r I more money to continue

to do that in the future t .■ f

"There was just distrust listen to the rank and file. every day,” a former aide said. “(New leader David) t Many insiders insist the Crisafulli has to bring this to a relationship breakdown head. He has to insist that on the record about the The party bosses remind me between headquarters and shadow cabinet engages with dysftinction. of (he scorpion in the st ory of the Newman government the policy committees." “There is no doubt the (he scorpion and the frog. contributed significantly to Even aftM* politics, organisational side has The frog wants to get to the the 2015 so-called “unlosable” Newman has not been baggage in their dealings with other side of the river and the election result immune from the ire of LNP the p^Iiamentaiy party,” scorpion asks if he can go Palmer campaigned HQ, Which sensationally Borbidge says. across on the back of the frog. mercilessly against the LNP- threatened to expel the "This friction isn’t new. “The frog thinks about st his slogan was simple and former premier for criticising After tl^ death of the and realises that If the personal: “Goodbye the party in the wakeofthe Newman government, my scorpion does sting him, they Campbell Newman.” 2017 election loss. former de^ty Iran Sheldon will both die, so he says OK. Newman has previously But Newman says it is not and 1 did a review and it was “They get halfWay across spoken of his disappointment right to solely point the finger dear that both wings of the the river and the scorpion that McIver, who remained a at party headquarters for the party had not spoken to each stings the frog. The frog says director of Palmer companies poor election results. other for a long period. 'why did you do that, we will until 2013, “didn’t see it was a “The MPs have to take “It’s better now but it has both die now’. Seen^ sent a letter to the McIver said he did not major conflict of interest” to some blame” he said. “They to get bdt^ still, and a “The scorpion says, ‘I can't LNP’s state executive want to comment on claims be “on Clive’s payroll at a have under-performed on concerted effmt is required help it it’s in my DN A’.” demanding that McIver that (he party was in turmoil time when Clive was policy. That is a fact" from both sides (because) it Formerfederal Liberal MP resign as president, because "I’m out of that now”. fighting (he party ” can’t be an ‘us versus them’. and current S!^ news H owever his revolt stalled In fata, issues between Now he says there were MERCILESS “It’s always there (the broadcaster Gary Hardgrave after the letter was tabled at a Newman and the party HQ “clearly issues on both WHITE-ANTING tension), a bit anyway. That is even more blunt meeting of the esreaftive. dated back to short ly after he si des of the party that need Thetensions between party doesn’t matter as long as they “The hierarchy all needs to Realising McIver had the became opposition leader. to be sorted”. bosses and MPs flared again get on with it” go - there needs to be a numbers, Seeney withdrew In April 2Qil, Newman “Seeney is right... we saw when Nicholls succeeded *111086 close to complete purge and it needs the demand. pubHdy sujgjorted gay (that interference) within Lawrence Sprinj^rg as headquarters lay the blame to happen nowhe said. When asked to comment marriage-amove gwemmentwhere they opposition leader in 2016. squarely on the state Hardgrave said the enmity last week on the relationship unthinkable to a party overstepped the mark," Those close to Nicholls parliamentaiy team. between him and the party between the Newman machine whose hetold’^e Saturday say he was never accepted as “The state team are the bosses began in 2008 when government and the party W2S closer to the Joh era - CouriCT-Mail. the alternative premier by issue and even now. they are he championed a motion at headquarters, Seenity was and ail bell broke out within “But it’s not all one-way party HQ. trying to blame anyone but state executive to have .scathing; “From the day the the state executwe. The traffic. The parliamentary A product of the inner- themselves," one fi^re ^d. Crosby-Textor conduct LNP was created in tensions became so had while team in the past has shown city liberal elite, he was “I wonder are Labor research to guide the2009 Queensland, (here has been a N ewman was io government scant regard- may be an seen as too urbane for the blaming their organisation in election strategy. complete lack of that the Prenier’s office arrogance - to those that party bcsses. Queensland for losing all the McIver opposed the understanding of the role of would go months withiMit help^ them get elected. And after Nicholfe, fedensd dectioRS and motion and, when put to a the headquarters, talking to head office. “Parliamentarians need to Freddington was white- Brisbane City campaigns?” vote, Hardgrave’s resolution “’Hie proper relationship But there were occasions anted unmercifully by the The figure pointed to the failed by a single vote OJetween the entities) was when the issues were caused political machine. LN P’s three consecutive Hardgrave says just about completely misunderstood. by the jwirliamentary wing, IthaslefttheLNPfafthftd, Brisbane Cit)' Council every person who sided with Those in the senior executive such as the day one of the thousands of bran ch elertion victories, and the fact him has since either left the positions came from the Newman’s minders was asked volunteers and donors, angry that the party had won 70 per party or been banished. corporate work! and they by headquarters if the and upset, asking the cent of federal seats in “Hundreds have gone,” he were used to being in control. premier could poke his head question - how and why it Queensland in every said. “Before the merger, It became a toxic problem.” into a morning tea of CWA has come to this? election since 2012 as those suspended or leaving Seeney said the party volunteers, headed up by the Former Nationals premier evidence that the state team the party you orxild count oti organisation “caused our wife of the LNP’s biggest and party elder statesmen wastheproblem. one hand. government more stress and donor, at Parliament House. Rob Borbidge is oneof the “So how do^ one explain “Paranoia j^ikes deep distress than the Labor The message was fm who will talk ill this and never blame the within the papacy of the LN P. opposition”. never i^sed on. oiganisadon for the state They don’t care ^ut the "Our government was put lt»ses,” one organfeation past. ’Ihe culture is rotten." under tremendous pressure. figure said. For every action there was a reaction " he said. SCORPION AND I ■ THE FROG BRA OF DISTRUST Another former senior aide McIver hewas not traced the tensions back long CiAPTER involved in any before the 2(M)8 merger. Tomorrow’s Sundai ^M3i representations made on “The party headquarters and atcourienriaiU :om.i b^If of Palmar to buy land I people csMiwiddpovreraiHl from 7pm tonight near the Sunshine Coast I have been doing so since airport andthattwo other the Mike Aham days, ♦ MOMENT peoj^ in the hierarchy Rerraeml^ (Ibm^ premfer) WHICH PARKED A handled the anonymous , who Was In REVOLUTION letter is^. the joh^ weeks?” Inade story of Deb “1 didn’twant anything to theysaM. Freckllngton's election do with that,” he said. “The old Nats did that.

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A THE GREATEST ESCAPES EVER 5] the SUNDAY, FBUlUARYZa. 2021 COURIER MAILCOILAU ?l

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»: Inside the LNP's >} Elder's Deb insult: sabotage of leader 'You can't sell sour milk' » Palmer cruise a » President will be trigger for mutiny axed, saviour drafted

organisatton anxmd, insideff The LHP had been -W- have-revealed, jacfeed* and the *IInsl tow” . RESPECTED parly veteran Tte Sunday Mail whfch came when MPs teamed that ' Lawrence Spdngborg or et- tosfey i&y s bare new details of tile parly'^ three ex-|«res3- p^emter Rofe Bodsidge is to internal treac.bery before fee dents ail .partied with polihcal be dr^ed to as LN P presidest 2020 state etectton defeat, can rkal CHve Pahner gbmrd te Wilton months in a desjse-rate f^'eal a muttoy kwanMOg iuxu.ty yacht oai efertion bid to tom the troubled against LNP h^tdquarters. night one senior figure said.

tlFTOUTINSIDE CHAPTER TWO Anatomy of poll disaster | SPECIAL INVESTIGATION P10-13 'Kids scared to admit they're hetero': Doc BIGTHING erosexual and happy in boy or girl. His warning comes Amid rismg nund)^ KEWIE bodies they were bom into”, a as two mothers of transgender diUdren expenencmg gender Brisbane doctor claims. children said kids experiencing (h'smorphia, a leading Bris­ tilllSTFIX HARD-LINE ^nder neutral GP Thomas Lyons says he gender dysmorphia needed bane gender dink has rareated language wiU make teens has witnessed children at hfe support rather than gender­ it Is full and caimot take new toss to Cowboys ex|K»es flaw SPORT scared “to admit they are het­ dhnc reftjse to say the word neutral language. chents. REPORTS FS-7

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W®WlTHIN

on nver as LNP sank Sparked a ’ The final straw ® came when people r revolutioft sftw who was on ' IN THE SECOND PART OF HIS SPECIAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE “p Clive’s boat on . OOEENSIAND LNP, PHER GLEESON REVEALS THE INSIDE STORY dection night. That OF HOW Dffi FRECKLINGTON’S 2020 ELECTION CAMPAIGN FEU was a sell"Ottt APART - AND WHAT’S LHLYTO HAPPEN NEXT - r' Senior LNP MP

FALLlbe For state and federaj MPs metaphor for the campaign said that, even if she had won, have been rolled at some “Bruce would often say it’s events that already furious after what and the way headquarters her reign as leader may not point. She couldn’t be hard to sell sour milk,” a might trigger a they believed were years of had handIM the campaign go full-term. controlled, and like ©there colleague said. revolution in head office treachery, photos chaotic andill-timecL A senior Liberal figure before her, that was fatal.” “He was of the firm belief Queensland's osition was WHO IS THE of defiance than any political TVho could jKJssib^ 19 as an with the parliamentary consigned to another four ENEMY? logic - was said with several preferfourmoreyears in etectoral leadership team, including , years in the political A FEW kilometres away from people tn mind, insiders say. opposftion.than winner for Freckiin^oa.to fend off a ji.; wilderness, Clive Palmer was Palmer's boat, on a night One of those was the government? challenge by a factional group g in hi^ mode on board his which ended fast and badly LNP’s state director, Michael "My sense is that e^'en of religious and more grandvessel, Nancy Jean. for the LNP, Freckiington O’Dwyer, who she eyeballed if she’d won. she would conservative members It was the election party rose to the podium to deliver during the speech. The others known as the Christian S guest list of Palmer that her losing concession speech. were the LNP past presidents Soldiers, who were stacking . stunned many In the LNP. The evening had become sipping champagne wfth branches and trying to get , Enjoying the festivities somewhat of a blur for the Palmer on the river. control of certain electorates. with die head of a rival Nanango M P, who was The next morning, after Ultimately the challenge political party were ail three exhausted after weeks on the speaking with her husband from the so-called Christian < oftbeLNFs past presidents- campaign trail in trying to Jason and former Opposition Soldiers was dissipated, but ■ Dave Hutchinson, Gary beat Labor's Palaszczuk in an leader , only after compelling action g Spence and Bruce McIver, election that had become a Freckiington fell on her from the most senior g Hutchinson had only referendum on COVID-19. sword mid resigned as leader. echelo ns of the party and g recently stepped down In the hectic, muddled She’d run out of steam and parliamentary'wings, who g LNP boss aftia-being blamed maelstrom, she came to the saw the writing on the wall. eased most of the leaders out for trying to launch a c(Hq> podium at the same time as In fact, with current LNP of the way. This rare O agafairt party leader the premier was delivering a leader David CrisafuHi (right) show of unity FreckUngton when polling victory speech across town, looming in the background, between the t leaked in June. which for many was a those close to Freckiington parHamentaiy

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CATCH UP ON CHAPTER ONE See tourlerniail.coin .au

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» LNP past presidents Gary Spence. Brace McIver and (below) Dave Hutchinson were with biiiionaire Clive Patmer aboard his superyacht, Nancy Jean, on election night last October. Pictures: Mark Cranitch

Tlien there was the issue political assassination of of Clive Palmer. Hutchinson Langbroek, there was one was a property adviser at the difference. There were no tycoon’s Coolum resort. blow-ups or warnings of the "You can't be the president coming attempted coup. of the LNP and the emirit^ee ofthe principal of miother UNDERTHEBUS political party at the same Not even the most senior time ” Mr Dutton said. figures in the party were 'The aborted coup was immune from the wrath. ham-fisted and clumsy - It’s understood that when HQ’spreferred Dutton publicly criticised candidate. partyheadquarters, CrisafiillL didn’t backroom moves began to havethe destabilise him. numbers zxnd it If that wasn’t surprising iaidbare fleering bl divisions in the LNP powerbrokers was on party. full display when the most i Amid the respected person in chaos, Crisafulh Queensland conservative was forced to politics, Lawrence makean Springborg. was thrown emotional plea to under the bus after raising his his colleagues and concerns about the poll teak. the public that be What made it all the more was not involved remarkable was Springborg ' in the leak and made the criticism behind had no intention dosed doors at a state of forcing a executive meeting. partyroom vote. As a trustee, Springborg An LNP insider had a place on the executiv’e said; "Come on. with voting rights and the Getting rid of Deb ability to influence decisions. Freckiington six Back in 2011 when the Freckiington capable and competent”, blokes sitting in the months out (from party knifed Langbroek, and organisaUoiKil wings was yet to land a cut-through “likeable” and even who back room who want things the election) was never an Springborg had given a clear gave Ms Freckiington the menage with Queensland would “deliver good things to go backto theway they option. It was amateur hour warning to the back room: “I confidence to tielieve she had voters and had made a for regional Queensland” and were” but that she was the the backroom boys. No am saying to the organisation. ' the support of headquarters. misstep by describing the “has a family of her own and leader and was “here to stay”. wonder the leaders try to ’You got away with this once, However she had a IMemier as a “princess” and shows strong compassion”. “I will not he bullied by the keep them out of policy.” but don’t ever think you can sigoiflcanl political problem. criticising Palaszczuk for backroom boys of the LNP.” While insiders drew get away with it again’.” While published polling wearing high-end brands. ABORTED COUP she said. comparisons with the bad the LNP competitively But soon after the Yougov MULTIPLE LNP insiders say Within days, Fedejr^___ CONWEDPa placed (a Yotigov poll in early poll showed the party was on the leak was aimed at Home Affairs | “ June pLit the LNP in an track to win came the creating a partyroom spill to MinisterPeter i election- winning lead of sensational leak of internal unseat Freckiington and Dtrtton took the j CHftPTifi I Labor,52-48, two-party LNP polling which painted a likened it to tlie internal extraordinary st^ Tomorrow's Courier-Mail and at prefened), the nundjers on far more grim picture. manoeuvrings which led to ofpuhlidy couriermaiLcom.au from 7pm tonight Frecklington’s personal The usually tightly held the remwal of John-Paul demanding pc^arity were dire. party polling suggested the Langbmek nine years earlier Hutchinson's ♦ CAN WOUNDED LNP HEAL? Both in early 2020 before LNP was trailing Labor in after the Brisbane floods. head, describing Elders reveal WniH COVlU-19 hit the state, and many of the key seats and Freckiington and her the organisation’s what needs to ROT NP UUC in June, polling showed less Freckiington was well behind partyroom colleagues undenniningofthe haDoennow than a quarter of Palaszczuk on key personal immediately blamed the state leader as Within itenow attributes - including who party hierarchy for trying to “unprccedented” Queenslanders believed she fl would make a better premier voters thought was trigger a coup, with the leader and lhe president’s than Palaszczuk. "intelligent, articulate. declaring it the work of “a few jch “untenable”

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POWER. TREACHERY WCO Within AND THE LNP

LEADER OF THE QPPOSfTIQH

the ALP was “rwk^” brfore outspent on advertising by robocalls and the negative COVID hit. both Labor and Palmer. ads against Deb. Nine years “With COVID-19 helping The strong attack ads “I think it’sa terrible later, for daring Labor so mudi in the polls, I against Labor from the LNP indictment on us as to raise the felt maybe there was a sense never came. Queenslanders when the only elep hant in th e of defeatism, certainly at The question many within thing Labor has to say to win room, Springborg party headquarters, that we the LNP are asking is where is that we W ill ‘sack, cut and was told by were not goingto there,” were the attack ads on former sell’just like the Newman era. Hutchinson, still at that he said. “We probabV should deputy premier 's “The feet that the public I point president, that he have tried to neutralise on integrity scandals? actually believes that rubbish would be stripped of his COVID. That’s an example Where were the attack ads it is even more disappointing.” position as a trustee and where Labor has its act on labor’s econoinic record? One theory circulating that “the executive wanted to together and we donV Where were the attack ads among some within the party go in a different direction". Another party insider on Labor's appalling child was that HQ wanted to set It seemed that anybody questionedwhether LNP safety record or the juvenile aside some of the war chest, who had a contrary view to headquarters had been crime crisis? anticipating having to make a the party’s main players was resigned to defeat and ran Some insiders claim the large payment to former being banished. dead on the campaign. war chest wasn't fully spent. Brisb^e LN P councillor Kate “There is a school rrf LNP cand}date.s, many of Richards, who is suing I COVID CAMPAIGN thought that the party left a whom worked their members of the slate THE Freckiington coup fair bit in the tank (during backsides off for 12 months executive, including scandal was a gift to Labor, the campaign),” a senior before the election, were Hutchison, for $lm, alleging an own goal by the LNP former MP said. angry and perplexed, she was defamed. back room. The LNP organfeational "ft was as though we Richards was dumped But ft was clear the wing effectively outsourced were hitting our heads up ahead of the 2020 council COVID-19 pandemic had the negaffve ad campaign to against a brick wall” said election, with the party' also chang^ the political Palmer, who spent a fortune one car; didate in a crucial referring her to the Crime dynamic and Palaszczuk’s having a crack at Labor’s target seat. and Corruption Commission, CLOCK® E FROM menage on keeinng "heartless’’and strict attitude “I know for a fact 1 was in claiming she had wrongfully ACOVEfcvid^-- Queenslanders safe to those enduring COVID-19 front a week out and Labor tried to get around a Crisafuwkst year.^’j j resonated with voters. hotel quarantine protocols. knew that and they sent in developer donation baa Gary have given The LN P had a $6m war the big guns in the last week Richards, who was cleared Hutchirtson. Deb government a big tick on chest but was massively and ramped up the of any wrongdoing by Freckiington and coronavirus and in the CCC. has said the Bernard Ponlffig at Queensland that meant real reason she was the 2018 LNP stale Labor, despite integrity dumped was for convention; scandals and fiscal folly, “rgecting cronyism Freckiington after was always going to win. and backroom deals”, Crisafulli was elected Gerfeinly.sayLNP claiming she had leader last November; insiders, CrisaftiW, or , “been treated Freckiington and whoever was drdted in to appallingly by a deputy in replace Freckiington if a group of faceless men June fest year: coup was successftiL , in the LNP who wield Frecklingtons would not have won. far too much power". ccHKcssftwi speech, Former National She also accused delivered at the same premier Rcdt Borbidge said “backroom political time as Premier the frustration within the powerbrokers” of 's organisational arm of the \ snooping into victory speech; party^ was borne out by a candidates' sex lives Frecklinj^on with perception, even among 1 during extreme family on election night. Labor heavyweights, that I vetting sessions.

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ril ADTFD 111 can wounded LNP HEAL? Vilflr I En gg W TONIGHT OH COURIERMAaa TOMORROW ON S(Y HEWS 13

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' *-1 I J “Tile internal processes campaign, blunting are akin to a star chamber. Frecklington’s momentum at They are downright a crucial point. intimidating and “The grassroots are very, Frecklington’s leadership. disrespectfi.11,” she said. REVOLUTION v&tY nngryi” they said. “They The question being asked by aide says the organisational Hutchinson, who stepped COMING saw the party hierarchy members is - who is the wing of the party has gone he said “There’s a lack of down three months before AFTER the demise of undermine their own leader. enemy here. Labor or the &om raising money and focus and it’s tearing the the election, said he believed Freckiington, new leader “Nowweallknowyou LNP headquarters? There’s a selecting candidate to being party apart. 1 sense a clean­ the T^NF spent more on its Crisafulli was elected could have put Jesus Christ movement beginning.” “a full-blown part ofthe out coming.” 2020 campaign than in 2017. untwosed, walking into the up agakist Annastacia Another federal MP said political process”. A state M P said the LNP And says he does not party room with the Palaszczuk and he would Hardy and Crisafulli were 'The lines have blurred.” had lost many good members, believe there was a conflict of vanquished woman he have come second facing hostile crowds as they the insider ^d. through either suspension or interest with his role helping replaced in a show of unity. “But that didn’t give I travelled the state in the wake “Th^ now want to get leaving in disgust Palmer nin his Coolum resort But among the LNP’s rank them the licence to leak i ofthededionresuh. into policy and that’s always “We need to get them when he was party president and file, insiders say, there is polling which threatened j “CrisafuBi is bailing her going to end badly.” back,” they said. ThepoQ leak ws^nt the “white hot” anger over the to destroy Deb I out because she won’t acrept Brisbane Lord M^or “We’ve lost some very final piece of internal drama 2020 election loss and that the problem is ripping Adrian Schrinner said that at good people.” to dog the Opposition leader. current president Cynthia the heart out of the flirty ” state level, the LNP needed At a recent love-in for less than three weeks Hardy - who succe^ed besaid. to work out how to win seats Crisafulli’s parliamentary from election day, news was Hutdiinson in August-is ’’in A former LNP in Brisbane, team, as the 35 MPs tucked leaked that the INF had denial” and will be replaced “It can be done at into their surf and turf referred Freckiington to the by the middle of they ear. ramncd levd and federal dinners at Kawana Surf state electoral watchdog Well-placed insiders say tevd, y<^ there’s tlrfs Club, the conversation fearing a series of her replacement will turned to the elephant in the fundraising events may either be Borbidge or room - the problems with the have violated laws which Springborg. party machine. stop the political influence of The only way to As the wagyu and prawns property developers. smash the cycle of were washed down with ’i'he party’s officii mediocrity and shiraz, the question hung in spokesman denied the story, division is to “blow the air What should happen? hut it dominated the news the thing up” and Many believe Crisafulli is

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181 "“WAiOWithin '"he™™™’ T we don’t unite IN THE FINAL CHAPTER OF HIS INVESTIGATION INTO THE INP, PETER GLEESON LOOKS AT THE MERGER'S FUTURE OYTALKING TO ITS ARCHITECT, LAWRENCE SPRINGBORG

he architect of the Former deputy premier way to win elections. The merger between the Jeff Seeney said the McArdle- freshly minted merger, with Liberal arid National Scarr r^rt into the :M)2O Springborg as leader, failed to parties in Queens­ electitm loss was crucial. win the 2009 election, after land has urged war­ “If they do not address the premier Anna Biigh sprung a ring factions to “look properat the relationship between surprise victory. Tbigger picture”, otherwisethe the two wings of the LNP - But in 2012, former Bris­ conservatives face more years the parliament and the head­ bane lord mayor Campbell in the political Wilderness. quarters - the LNP has a Newman roraf^ to the larg­ Former opposition leader very bleak future in this est winning majority in and Newman government state,” he said. Queensland political history. Health Minister Lawrence The Courier-Mail under­ Three years later, his govern­ Springborg said the Labor stands the internal review has ment was gone. Party had learnt from its mis­ “shone some light on arasis The merger came about takes of the past, having been that nobody expected it because of years of internal largely in Opposition in would”, "if it recommends bickering between the Libs Queensland from 1957-1989. widespread reform, the mem­ and Nats over three-cornered “Th^ (Labor) learnt about bers have their sunmunition cont^ts, egos, resources and division and the benefit of to act,” a source said. priorities. It became so bad unify," Mr Springborg said. It is understood the that liberal and National can­ "As is almost always the McArdie-Scarr review of the didates in conservative areas case, the party is not the prob­ 2020 election loss will not pull would campaign against each lem. It’s personalities and I pundies, singling out the or­ other to win the polL urge individuals to look be­ ganisational wing. But will it Mr Springboig’s rationale yond themselves and to tlie be enough to force change? was that putting the resources bigger picture. New Opposition Leader and energy into one Tory "Queenslanders should ex­ David Crisafulli has a her­ candidate per seat would pect no less. Our political ad­ culean task to bring the par­ eliminate campaign funding versary is the Labor Party. I liamental and organis­ wastage and maximin the would say that in any good, ational wings of the party conservative vote. functioning deraocraty there back, together. But it starkly brought into should be a healthy competit­ Senior LNP figures have focus the warring factional Labor insiders ion of ideas. described the enmity and battles over which party "But don’t lose sight of infighting as “parlous” and would contestwhich seat what we’ve done as a party the disunity was “more to do The so-called "star cham­ and don’t lose sight of What’s with tttirselves than anything ber" interrogation of candi­ at stake with division. As the to do with Labor", date was seen by many as a that two of saying goes, if y ou don’t learn In 2008, it was Mr Spring­ stitrh-r^, with pre-deter­ from history, you are destined borg who was able to con­ mined outcomes already to repeat the past.” vince Liberal and made, and the chamber pro­ Mr Springborg’s com­ Nation^rt party cess merely a means to an i^d. ments came as a report is headquarters, A former Newman govern­ Idling authored into the 2020 members, ment senior aide said the cam­ election loss, with recommen­ paigning styles of the Labor dations likely to come in May. Party and LNP at state level FcMTner c^posrtiori Multiple LNP source say a was more than leader Deh FrecWiri review of the party’s 2020 during the 2020election. and (inset) currerrt election loss will portw a "I don’t think it’s a leader David Crisafultl. paify in crisis, gri{i^)ed li? a money thing because the Picture; NCA News Wire toxic relatkinshtp between the LNP actually has a /Sarah Marshall politicians and party officials. reasonable war chest,”

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"‘WAiOWlTHlN

The merger came about because of years of bickering over three-cornered contests, egos. resources and priorities i

Queensland liberal Party «ind National P«“«-ty merger convention at Sofitel Read all three chapters of Peter Hotel with (from left) then UNP deputy leader Mark McArdle Gleeson’s gripping investigation and leader Lawrence Springborg. SUBSCRIBE FOR JUST couriermailcom .au/subscribe

the senior aide said. “Labor and that will not come easily ” about “bold and visionary despair and a youth crime cri­ youth crime rampant, the in turmoil, with its or^isa- just do^ it better at state be said. plans", including the Brad­ sis did not cut through. LNP thought it had a chance tion^ wing at war with the level They cleverly milked Labor's candidates, even field scheme, a multibillion- Townsville was seen as a and the lo^i candidates were parliamentary wing. As one COVlD-39 and maximised the average ones, were disci­ dollar irrigation project aimed major battleground for the bullish. Labor heavyweights senior aide said, had the board their message on keeping plined and stuck to message, at solvingthe state's perennial 2020 state election. Both Ms in Townsville, including for­ of BHP or W^farmers leaked people safe and it worked. he said. That message was drought problem. Palaszczuk and Ms Freckiing­ mer mayor Tony Mooney information against its chief “But there is a strong belief simple - Annastacia Pal- But even the Bradfield ton visited there regularly, and chief strategist Dolan executive to have that person within the party that we bot­ aszczuk Iradkeptyou andyour scheme announcement failed with the seats of Thuringowa, Hayes, sent an SOS to party sacked, the board would be ched our handling of COVID. fhmfly safe from COVID-19 to hit the target after it was re­ Mundlngbum and Towns­ headquarters that the race sacked. At the very least, an We were really wishy-washy and a Freckiington govern­ vealed the first funding tran­ ville all up for grabs. was tight internal investigation would on it. People saw that" ment would replicate the che would be $20m for a When Newman won in Labor Party headquarters have been undertaken to es­ Powerbroker and former “sad, cut and sell" ideology of feasibility study. 2012, he won all three Towns­ doubled their efforts in tablish where the leak ema­ senator Barty O'Sullivan, the Newman government. The LNP tried to outline a ville seate. When he lost in Towfts\'ille, quadrupling di­ nated. No such thing was who was invoked in trigger­ Tlie “sack, cut and sell" vision, but against the bark­ 2015, they went to Labor. The rect robocalls to residents deme by the LNP hierardty. ing the 2011 political ex­ m^sage is lazy and mislead­ drop ofa global pandemic and LNP campaigned hard on with the message that now LNP leader David Cnsa- ecution of John-Paul ing but if you say it enough* the worst health crisis we’d ymith crime and tax bail laws. was not the time to be chang­ iUlli has a big job to bring the Langbroek, agreed the LNP and use it in election ad blitz­ experienced in living mem­ A week out from the elec­ ing government during a pan­ parfr together. He must weigh needed “serious structural re­ es. some of it resonates, par­ ory, nothing seemed to be tion, Labor insiders were wor­ demic. The Premier’s jet up the needs of his parliamen - form", hut that was not going ticularly with public servants, registering with voters. ried that two of the three seats seemed on autopilot to taiy colleagues and their abil­ to be easy. many of whom lost their jobs Labor scandals around min­ might fall to the LNP. Townsville that last week. ity to win in 2024 with the "That would require sig­ under Newman, isterial integrity, a worsening Witii coronavirus not as For the LNP, the reality re­ competing factors within the nificant constitutional change The LNP tried to talk economic outiock, child safe^ big an issue in the north, and mained that this was a party organisational wing.

MAN ON DRUG CHARGES Family honours life of ‘gentle soul NORTH Queensland police dnigs, dn^ utensils and drug 1 TOBY VUE have arrested and charged a paraphernalia at a Mount went missing at Hinchinbrook Is­ He loved mother nature so much man with more than 50 drag- addr^s. He was charged with land on February 31 and nothing would stop the old related offences, including one count of trafficking, 41 I CAIRNS yachting Identity Ao- Mr Heard, 69, had been sailing soul from going fishing" she sjdd. trafficking and supply, after counts of supplying a dangar- I drewJackHeardhasbeenremem- die area with partner Erica Lang One of Mr Heard’s sons, Jack an ongoing operation. ous drug and several otiier ■- bered as a gentle soul with a thirst OB board their vessel Shiraz, Heard, recalled his father as about Officers from the Mount Isa drug-related offences relating ’ for adventure vriio lived life to tire before he took a smaller boat to go builder and “master craftsman", Tactical Crime Squad charged to die sailed possession of i fidl and “who has a special place in fishing. A 42m aocodlle was b^ and said be valued family and love a Parkside man with 55 offen­ dangaous drug drug utensils I everyone’s hearts". lieved to be responsible for Mr in life over anything else. ces in relation to the distri­ and prop^ mspected as t Family, friends and members Heard’s death after human re­ "Don’t be sad that Dad has bution of iUkdt drui^, inckiding having b^ acquired for the of the Calms Cruising Yacht mains were found inside it died. I've never heard of someone MDMA/ecstaqf and cannabis. purpc^ of committing a drug * Squadron came tog^her on Sat- In a moving tribute, Ms Lang else living a fuller life than our fa­ The 19-year-old was ar­ offence. He is due to appear in I uiday to pa>' tribute and reldirate said that her partner of 15 years ther Andy... We’re so lucky he was rested on Friday after police the Mount Isa Magistrates the life of Mr Heard, affection­ was “n^ hero, my rock and my able to sharethose beliefs with us,” allegedly found dangerous Courton March 24. Andy Heard. ately known as Andy, after he everything”. “He was a gentle soul he^id.

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