Tim Mander has resigned from the Opposition front bench, proclaiming it was time for "fresh, bold and innovative" ideas, with "authentic" people, not "professional politicians", as he announced his intention to run for the LNP leadership - while borrowing a line from Campbell Newman to try and appease skittish colleagues.
His current leader, Lawrence Springborg has merely said what his colleagues chose to do was "a matter for them".
The Everton MP's move formally throws his hat into the ring for Friday's leadership showdown, which is widely expected to include former Treasurer Tim Nicholls.
Fairfax Media understands Mr Mander has been rejected by rising LNP star Deb Frecklington for the position of his deputy and has turned to Tarnya Smith, who holds Mount Ommaney by 0.23 per cent.
Mr Mander told ABC Radio it was time for "new and innovative" and "fresh" leadership and while Mr Springborg had done a "good job of stabilising the party" it was time for something "bold".
"Everywhere I go right throughout Queensland and my local community, people keep advising me that they want a fresh change to the leadership of the LNP, they want someone who has got new ideas and can provide the fresh start that we require to make sure we keep this incompetent Labor government accountable," he told ABC.
But he was coy on whether or not he had the numbers to take the leadership, which would require 21 votes.
"Well, we will find that out on Friday," he said.
"I know that there is a very overwhelming feeling of change.
"Lawrence Springborg has done a great job in providing a stable leadership after our devastating election loss, however in this part of the election cycle now, it is important, I believe that we have somebody that is bold and innovative and can invigorate the leadership of the party.
"...Let's see what will happen on Friday – I do know that there are many of my colleagues that do believe the same thing, that they want a change. There is great respect for Lawrence, however we believe, right now, it is time for new leadership with fresh ideas to provide a fresh start."
Mr Mander said he would not be running on a ticket and would be "simply" running for the leadership, and that "fresh" leadership was required to challenge the Labor government at the next election - and that it needed to be done now.
"I am not going to focus on what Lawrence has done or hasn't done, he has done a good job in stabilising the party," he said.
"But I think the people of Queensland are looking to their conservative side of politics to provide fresh, bold, innovative new ideas to provide strategic direction and to show that they can be a credible alternative government."
Mr Mander came to parliament in the 2012 landslide win which saw Campbell Newman elected to parliament with a historic majority. He said his relative inexperience in parliament - compared to Mr Springborg who has almost three decades under his belt - was not a hinderance to his leadership ambitions.
"I have 30 years of leadership experience in both public and private sector, I don't think people are looking for professional politicians – what they are looking for is people who are authentic and people who are willing to serve the Queensland public and I believe I have the track record of doing that and I believe my skills can help the LNP win government at the next state election," he said.
He also dismissed his critics suggestions that his marginal seat - Everton, traditionally a Labor seat, was reduced to a margin of less than 2 per cent at the last election, would be a problem, using an argument which relied on a uniform swing to counter it and borrowed heavily from his former leader who was forced to defend his own marginal seat.
"I don't really see the relevance – if we don't win my seat, we definitely won't be in government," he said.
"It is a totally different situation to the situation with Campbell Newman, where it was possible for him to lose his seat and for us to retain government – that is not the case with me. There are seven seats more marginal than mine – so if I don't win my seat, we definitely won't win government."
Mr Mander said while Mr Newman was "mathematically not right" when he used that argument - which ultimately was borne out to be correct, he had the numbers on his side. As long as the entire state voted the same way.
"We could lose his seat, because it was a 4.5 per cent swing, but a 7.5 per cent swing to lose government," he said.
"I can't – we have to gain percentages, not lose them. So if I don't win my seat, that would mean that seven other seats haven't been won either which means we won't be forming government."
Mr Springborg had sought to bring leadership rumblings to a head by calling an early party room meeting for Friday, in an attempt to head off his challengers.
But he didn't mention a spill. Former deputy premier Jeff Seeney did that for him, announcing to colleagues he would move a motion for a leadership vote himself, but did not intend to stand for any of the positions.
Mr Mander had previously been the face of a failed leadership coup in February, which didn't get off the ground.
Speaking ahead of an event on Tuesday evening, Mr Springborg said he would "tell his story" to his colleagues, but would not speculate further.
"It is a democratic party and they have a democratic opportunity to express their views," he said.
"...As I have always done so and I know it is to the frustration to many people, including in the media, I'll keep my comments relating to any discussions like this, in the party room and I am not speculating beyond that.
"I will tell my story to the party room and that is what I intend to do. What others do is a matter for them."
This story first appeared on The Brisbane Times
