Qld: MP behind aborted leaderhip coup promoted in reshuffle

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2007
Qld: MP behind aborted leaderhip coup promoted in reshuffle

BRISBANE, April 16 AAP - The man who considered challenging Queensland Liberal leader
Bruce Flegg has been promoted in an opposition frontbench reshuffle.

Liberal MP Tim Nicholls was today appointed opposition spokesman for the new portfolio
of public transport and traffic management as part of a new look frontbench aimed at targeting
Queensland's next "major crises".

The move comes less than a month after the member for Clayfield, who was elected only
last year, considered challenging Dr Flegg for the top job but did not have the backing.

Dr Flegg said Mr Nicholls' promotion was not linked to the attempted leadership coup.

"It's not something that we've arrived on overnight, we've worked on this, in fact,
for months," he said.

Mr Nicholls, who was previously opposition spokesman for tourism, fair trading and
wine development, said he was excited about his new position.

But he raised speculation about his future after refusing to rule out another challenge
before the next election.

"Bruce is the leader of the party. While Bruce is the leader of the party he has my
support," Mr Nicholls said.

"My main aim is to concentrate on ... develop(ing) transport policy for Queenslanders."

In other changes to the frontbench, Liberal MP Ray Stevens will add housing affordability
to his public works portfolio.

Nationals MP Fiona Simpson will have tourism added to her responsibilities of opposition
spokeswoman for state development, employment, industrial relations and small business.

Liberal MP Mark McArdle will take on fair trading issues on top of his legal affairs portfolio.

Nationals MP Vaughan Johnson's title has been amended to opposition spokesman for transport
infrastructure and main roads.

Opposition Leader Jeff Seeney said traffic congestion, overcrowded public transport
and a lack of affordable housing were looming as the next "major crises" facing the Queensland
government.

"We're going to focus on the areas where crises are developing," he said.

"It is the first step in building the policy platform that we believe can make us an
alternative government."

Dr Flegg said the changes marked a turning point in the structuring of the opposition's
frontbench, no longer mirroring the Beattie government's ministry.

AAP rm/lh/cdh

KEYWORD: COALITION QLD NIGHTLEAD

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