Nicholls to face LNP rumblings

WITH Labor all but certain to form government in the coming days, LNP leader Tim Nicholls has again failed to address leadership speculation, instead insisting he can still win.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made no public appearances again yesterday as Mr Nicholls ( pictured) continued to press her preelection “no deals” pledge.

It came as backroom dealings had already begun within the LNP around who would best replace Mr Nicholls.

Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington and fellow frontbencher Tim Mander are considered the top candidates for the job.

Gold Coast MPs John- Paul Langbroek and David Crisafulli would also be considered, although both are understood to lack support within the party.

When asked about rumblings, Mr Nicholls leadership said: “This election isn’t over yet, there is still a lot of votes t to be counted and we a are still in this hunt. “The real question t that we need to go back t to is Annastacia Palaszczuk’s position in relation to governing w without a majority.” Meanwhile, Labor now looks set to win the newly formed seat of Macalister with independent Hetty Johnston conceding it would take something “extraordinary” to steal it from Melissa McMahon. “There is still some hope there but it would have to be pretty incredible for it to happen,” Ms Johnston said. The seat will be crucial to Labor forming a majority government as it would be unlikely to reach 47 seats without it. The close count in Maiwar continued, with pundits expecting that to be won by the Greens. Six seats still remain in doubt and could go well into next week before a result is declared.