Queensland's Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington says she will step down as party leader following the Liberal National Party's electoral defeat at the weekend.
Talks about the LNP's leadership began almost immediately after the party lost a number of seats at the state election.
Ms Frecklington declared on Saturday night she planned to continue as LNP leader but said she has since reflected on her future.
Once the final vote is tallied, Ms Frecklington said she will convene a party meeting to appoint a new leader and will not run as a candidate.
"My first instinct is always to fight on," Ms Frecklington said.
"Since then I've had a great day with my family and my husband Jason and reflected on my future.
"Once all of the results are finally declared I will convene a party room meeting and I will ask my colleagues to appoint a new leader of the Liberal National Party.
"I will not be a candidate in the leadership contest.
"It has been the greatest privilege of my life so far to be the leader of the Liberal National Party and uphold the great traditions of democracy, the great traditions to hold this government to account."
'I take responsibility for the election loss'
In announcing her decision to step down, Ms Frecklington said she took responsibility for the LNP's loss and took aim at the influence of the coronavirus pandemic on the election.
"I am sorry that despite all of that support that we have had, we were unable to win this election," she said.
"It was a difficult year for the Opposition, it was a difficult election for the Opposition.
"At the start of 2020, the LNP was in a very strong prospect of winning this election, there is no doubt that COVID has had a huge impact on Queensland politics."
Speaking outside Parliament House in Brisbane, Ms Frecklington thanked her parliamentary colleagues, staff and party members for the "incredible support" she received.
"In particular, I want to thank my Deputy Tim Mander who has supported me every step of the way," she said.
"I also want to say a special thank you to the people of Nanango for supporting me once again this election.
"I especially want to thank my family who have just been rocks in the last three years."
The outgoing Opposition Leader said spending time with family was a key part of her decision to stand aside.
When asked if she would back Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander for the leadership, she said that was a question for him.
"We don't know who those candidates will be."
Ms Frecklington took the reins from Tim Nicholls in 2017 after he led the LNP to a loss at the last state election.
With the LNP on track to lose four seats, the party is facing tough questions about its future.
Among the most vocal critics is former LNP premier Campbell Newman who told Sky News: "There's no-one currently in this team who seems to be capable of winning an election".
"I don't think the current leadership team should be continuing, they need to take responsibility," he said.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTExLTAyL3FsZC1lbGVjdGlvbi1vcHBvc2l0aW9uLWxlYWRlci1kZWItZnJlY2tsaW5ndG9uLXN0ZXBzLWFzaWRlLWxucC8xMjgzNDk3NtIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjgzNDk3Ng?oc=5
2020-11-02 01:40:00Z
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