Queensland election 2015: Labor calls on LNP to relinquish power
Updated
Queensland Labor has called on the Liberal National
Party (LNP) to relinquish power, with the state election result possibly
hanging on a by-election in a pivotal seat.
The Electoral Party (LNP) to relinquish power, with the state election result possibly
hanging on a by-election in a pivotal seat.
Commission of Queensland (ECQ) has announced it will refer Ferny Grove
to the Court of Disputed Returns after a candidate was disqualified.
The court will then determine whether to order a by-election in the northern Brisbane seat.
The
LNP's parliamentary leader, Lawrence Springborg, would not give up
caretaker government during such uncertainty and accused Labor of being
power hungry.
But Labor MP Jackie Trad, who has been tipped to
become deputy Labor leader, said it could take up to six months for a
court determination.
She has called on the LNP to relinquish
control as caretaker government by Tuesday evening, which is the
deadline for postal votes to be received.
This is nothing more than a sneaky arrogant and hungry grab for
power when the will of the Queensland people was clearly delivered.
Labor frontbencher Jackie Trad
She said the LNP did not have the numbers.
"This
is nothing more than a sneaky, arrogant and hungry grab for power when
the will of the Queensland people was clearly delivered," she said.
"It
is clear that Campbell Newman as the caretaker premier will not have
the numbers in parliament to provide a stable government or to pass
legislation, which is the primary responsibility of politicians."
When
asked if Labor would seek Governor Paul de Jersey's permissions to form
a minority government, Ms Trad did not answer outright.
"Labor,
as soon Campbell Newman as caretaker premier resigns his commission,
will engage in all of the conventions necessary to make it clear that
the Queensland parliament should be reconstituted," she said.
"When
it is reconstituted, it will be reconstituted with Annastacia
Palaszczuk able to rely on 45 votes, the LNP cannot make that claim."
It is wrong for Labor or anyone else to run around tripping
over themselves to snatch the keys of the executive building when the
result has so far to go to actually be clearly determined.
LNP parliamentary leader Lawrence Springborg
Palmer United Party candidate for Ferny Grove Mark Taverner, who has so far received 1,000 votes, was found to be an undischarged bankrupt therefore ineligible to run in the seat.
The ECQ was due to refer the seat to the courts once it had been declared.
Labor was on track to win 44 seats, including Ferny Grove, and the LNP 42.
With the support of independent Peter Wellington, Labor would have 45 seats, enough to form a minority government.
For
the LNP to win power, it would need to secure Ferny Grove in a
by-election and the support of two Katter's Australian Party MPs.
LNP won't give up caretaker role for now
Mr Springborg said no party had a clear majority and results would not be known by the end of the week.He said the LNP would stay on in caretaker government until an outcome was more clear.
"That is at least what we have to do for the next few days," Mr Springborg told 4BC Radio.
"The Governor then will consider what options are available to him.
"It
is wrong for Labor or anyone else to run around tripping over
themselves to snatch the keys of the executive building when the result
has so far to go to actually be clearly determined.
"People
shouldn't jump the gun. You could have the possibility of a government
changing in the next few days, then changing again in the next month or
so.
"Labor - there is almost an indecent hate and expectation from them that they should grab the keys of government.
"This needs to be properly done."
While
the LNP remains hopeful of winning, former premier Rob Borbidge and
deputy premier Joan Sheldon have been hired to review the party's
disastrous result in the election campaign.
Key independent says no need to wait for Ferny Grove
MrWellington said Ferny Grove could face a by-election after a court
hearing or the court may decide that the preferences were so
insignificant that a by-election is not necessary.
He said it
could take over 12 months and it is unreasonable to expect Queensland to
remain in a state of limbo until the outcome is known.
"It is
farcical for the new leader of the LNP to seek to hold on to power until
then leaving the Newman appointed senior public servants to govern the
state," Mr Wellington wrote on his Facebook page.
"The Governor
has the responsibility to hand the reins of government to whoever is
able to deliver the 45 seats and should not be drawn into hypothetical
scenarios involving the future of the electorate of Ferny Grove."
Mr Wellington helped former Labor premier Peter Beattie form his first government in 1998 after Labor won 44 seats.
Mr Beattie said Mr Wellington and Ms Palaszczuk would get along well.
"It will be a very workable stable government," Mr Beattie said.
"It
was stable when Peter Wellington supported my government, it will be
stable when Peter Wellington supports Annastacia and the Labor Party in
government."
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