Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg leaves door open for LNP asset sales plan

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg has left the door open to selling Queensland assets in comments made to Brisbane media, Energy and Ports Minister Mark Bailey said today.

Mr Bailey said the beleaguered Opposition leader, who is under pressure from his own party room, left the door open during an interview this morning.

“On the one hand, Lawrence Springborg claims he is listening to the people of Queensland who have made their opposition to asset sales clear at two state elections, but today he’s also left the door open,” Mr Bailey said.

“Lawrence Springborg spent much of his time on radio this morning tipping his hat to former Treasurer Tim Nicholls and spruiking what he says are the benefits of the LNP’s Strong Choices plan, saying it was ‘good sound policy’.

“He then went on to say that the people of Queensland might want to reconsider once they saw what was happening in New South Wales.

“Clearly, Lawrence Springborg is living in the past if he still thinks assets sales are a possibility.

“No wonder we are yet to see any of his potential leadership rivals publicly support him.”

ENDS

Media Contacts:        Tim Shipstone – 3719 7321, 0419 246 157

                                 Alex Chamberlain – 3719 7316, 0406 544 142 

Lawrence Springborg on ABC 612:

SPRINGBORG: If I can just make a comment on NSW and the situation down there. I think it will become more and more stark as we go on from here over the next 12, 18 months, two to three years, and possibly beyond about the benefit of this for NSW in contrast to what this Government has proposed. That may force people to come to a different conclusion in the future but…

INTERVIEWER: You mean once they see the effect of selling those state assets and the income it freed up for NSW, Queensland voters might reconsider their opposition?

SPRINGBORG: The point is that as I’ve said publicly, I mean you always have to listen to your voters, the voters in Queensland passed a judgement on us. We accept that absolutely.  But I think that people will watch some degree of interest what’s happened in NSW and the important thing for any government is to not get ahead of where the voters are at. Maybe one day the voters might want to reconsider that sort of thing but it will be in the voters’ hands.