REDLANDS MP Peter Dowling reflected on his 15-year political career when he addressed the Queensland Parliament for what may be the last time this morning.
Mr Dowling, who failed to win LNP pre-selection in October after six years as a state MP, said his farewells paying tribute to his wife, Helen, who stood by him after a sexting scandal .
The scandal broke in August last year, after a disgruntled mistress revealed photos taken on a phone of Mr Dowling's penis in a wine glass.
He denied the valedictory speech indicated parliament would not sit again before the next state election, indicating a March polling date.
In his jocular fashion, Mr Dowling spoke of his humble beginnings as a £10 pound growing up in a single-parent family at Beenleigh, close to being a high school dropout and "often trouble looking for somewhere to happen".
He also paid tribute to LNP leader Campbell Newman, Jeff Seeney and Lawrence Springborg and said he was proud to be part of the "history-making" team which took the transition from opposition to government.
He also spoke of his role on various Parliamentary committees including the community safety committee, where he investigated the Queensland Health payroll debacle and unravelling the finances after the "Tahitian" prince.
As the chair of the Parliamentary Ethics committee, he also investigated the CMC allowing access to and shredding of the Fitzgerald inquiry documents.
Mr Dowling also mentioned achievements including getting sewerage to Coochiemudlo Island, Lakeside, boat ramps and Faith Lutheran School.
Special mentions were to Transport Minister Scott Emerson, for supporting the rollout of TransLink to the southern Moreton Bay islands, which he said was "possibly the most significant initiative in Redlands ever".
Minister for Communities Tracy Davis was thanked for her helping a brain injured teen stay out of a retirement home.
Mr Seeney was singled out for helping to push development at Weinam Creek.
"It will place my community on the map by making it a destination. It will fix long festering eyesore that has been neglected for more than 20 years."
He finished his valedictory speech saying the end of his parliamentary career was "only the close of another chapter in my life—nothing more, nothing less. I am immensely proud of my life's journey".
He also wished the best for all five candidates running for LNP pre-selection ballot on December 6 at Faith Lutheran College Hall.
Last week, Tiffany Klease withdrew from the race with the LNP saying she had work commitments as a senior adviser in aviation relations.
The others are Fiona Ward, who works in LNP MP Ray Stevens office at the Gold Coast and does not live in the electorate, Paul O’Keeffe, an accountant; Josh Hanbidge, a business manager and mason; Redland City Councillor Lance Hewlett and Matt McEachan, who works in Campbell Newman's office and was a staffer for federal MP Andrew Laming.
