JPL: I’m not bitter
MP speaks out about failed leadership bid
GOLD Coast LNP stalwart John-Paul Langbroek admits his party has a monumental challenge to overcome Labor’s stranglehold on Queensland voters in Brisbane.
In his first interview since losing a State LNP leadership challenge to Deb Frecklington this month, Mr Langbroek said she had his full support.
“I had a go. I believed what I was offering was what the party room should have and it would have been the best for our long-term prospects but I’m completely behind the leader.”
Mr Langbroek, who won a sixth consecutive term in his Surfers Paradise seat at the recent election, said he wasn’t spending any time stewing or being bitter about losing the leadership race.
“I’m completely supportive of her, I want her to be successful, want to prove we are better at delivering things than Labor so let’s just get on with it.
“She will work hard, she’s doing well in her own seat. She is saying we will hit the reset button and the party room has endorsed that.
“Now it’s up to her to deliver. I will be right in there with her in the Parliament and we need to win seats in metropolitan Brisbane. We got six out of 42 seats in Brisbane – it’s just horrendous.”
LNP dominated the Gold Coast seats, winning 10 of 11 but Labor’s Meaghan Scanlon gave the party a foothold on the Glitter Strip by winning Gaven. But Mr Langbroek said he didn’t see that as hugely significant: “If Gold Coasters really thought Labor were doing such a great job they would have won more than one seat”.
Despite the challenge facing his party in metropolitan Brisbane, he was optimistic LNP could turn things around under Ms Frecklington.
“If you don’t have optimism in this job it is time to give it up,” he said.
He retained his shadow portfolio of the Commonwealth Games as well as being given responsibility for Sport and Racing, and Multicultural Affairs in Ms Frecklington’s recent reshuffle.
She said at the time she had faith in Mr Langbroek’s capabilities as a frontbencher.
Mr Langbroek, who owns a share of a greyhound, said he was looking forward to trying to revive the fortunes of the flagging racing industry.
A former dentist, he said he still had the energy and enthusiasm to represent Surfers Paradise.
“I’m the only one in Parliament who owns a greyhound. I know the players,’’ he said.
“And I still love doing my local job – even this week I’ve been calling local constituents about speeding on Garfield Terrace.”
IF GOLD COASTERS REALLY THOUGHT LABOR WERE DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB THEY WOULD HAVE WON MORE THAN ONE SEAT JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK