Top Lib eyes Coast seat
Former minister may stand if new electorate created
FORMER minister David Crisafulli is shaping up to run for a Gold Coast seat at the 2018 state election.
Electoral boundaries are set to shift early next year.
Senior LNP sources confirmed Mr Crisafulli was eyeing off a new seat which is expected to be created to cope with the city’s surging population.
Mr Crisafulli, who moved from Townsville to the Gold Coast earlier this year, declined to comment yesterday but the Bulletin understands he has the backing of LNP bosses in Brisbane.
The 36-year-old spent the weekend networking at the GC600, schmoozing with city and political heavyweights including LNP Deputy Leader John-Paul Langbroek, Opposition education spokesman Tim Mander, former top cop Des Lacy and local councillors.
Mr Crisafulli was local government, community recovery and resilience minister in the Newman administration.
The father-of-two and former journalist lives at Hope Island where he is enjoying downtime with his family.
The redistribution will begin in February.
Rapid population growth has led to speculation the state’s 8 9 - s e a t cap will be lifted. That would allow Mr Crisafulli to run for Parliament without removing one of the city’s 10 incumbent LNP MPs.
If the Gold Coast is not granted an extra seat, it is believed Mr Crisafulli will be given the keys to the safe Broadwater electorate in place of embattled MP Verity Barton.
Ms Barton fell out of favour with party officials after becoming embroiled in a series of scandals, including serious bullying allegations and driving without a licence.
In the most recent case, Ms Barton lost a legal battle against a senior staffer who accused the youngest woman ever elected to Queensland Parliament of bullying.
Taxpayers have been left to foot the salary of the senior staffer who has been placed on indefinite leave.
Mr Crisafulli was ousted from the seat of Mundingburra when the Newman government was thrown out last January.
The Gold Coast was the only region immune to the anti-Newman swing and is seen as a key conservative stronghold with very safe seats.
Mr Crisafulli is scheduled to speak tonight at the Gold Coast Young LNP October general Meeting and local government forum at Robina Community Centre on Robina Town Centre Drive. Mayor Tom Tate will also speak.