JEFF Seeney's elevation to State Opposition Leader was a surprise to party bosses who planed the Campbell Newman putsch, according to sources upset at changes to the party's frontbench line-up.
Five of the central figures of the LNP's shadow cabinet were put out to pasture as part of the changes this week. The appointment of the first Campbell Newman Shadow Cabinet was an important item on the former mayor's to-do list as he bids to replace Labor and Anna Bligh in power in Queensland.
Long-standing local government shadow, Howard Hobbs, primary industries spokesman Ray Hopper, tourism shadow Ray Stevens, police and emergency services spokesman, Glen Elmes and parliamentary secretary Peter Dowling joined the party founder, former deputy leader Lawrence Springborg on the backbench.
Moving in were SEQ MPs Andrew Powell, Ros Bates, Steve Dickson and Mark Robinson. Gympie MP David Gibson took the local government portfolio after a spell in the wilderness under the former leader, JP Langbroek. Mining and resource management is now the responsibility of Bundaberg MP, Jack Dempsey. Mr Langbroek assumes the Police and Corrective Services portfolio.
Sources within the party have told Queensland Country Life the changes sparked unrest among LNP branches concerned that shadow cabinet representation for western Queensland has been cut from five to one. That comes on top of the earlier demotion of Gregory MP Vaughan Johnson.
A source close to the organisation said Mr Seeney's elevation to manage the party in Parliament was a bolt from the blue for the party president, Bruce McIver and Mr Newman's other organisational backers. "Jeff wasn't part of the picture as far as they were concerned," the source said. "He just saw an opportunity and he took it."
Demoted former shadow ministers all were reluctant to discuss the reshuffle when contacted by Queensland Country Life this week. A spokeswoman for Mr Hobbs said the longstanding Warrego MP would now concentrate his parliamentary activity on the needs of his electorate.
Meanwhile, Mr Newman's bid to shoehorn the Mayor of the Scenic Rim Regional Council, John Brent into the seat of Beaudesert has prompted a strong response from inside and outside the LNP.
Minister for Energy and Water Utilities Stephen Robertson attacked Mr Brent, who replaced Campbell Newman as chair of the Council of Mayors over his criticism of State Government changes to urban water utilities.
"John Brent seems more interested in scoring points then serving the rate payers he was elected to represent," Mr Robertson said.
Meanwhile, party members from within the Beaudesert electorate say several strong candidates have surfaced to challenge Mr Brent's run for pre-selection.
