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LNP MP 'won't quit' party to join Katter

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

© The Cairns Post

 

A LIBERAL National Party MP, locked out of a party-room meeting yesterday, is considering cutting the apron strings to the Newman Government and standing as an Independent.

Carl Judge, the Member for Yeerongpilly in Brisbane, said his prime responsibility was to his electorate.

He hoped to reach a final decision on quitting the LNP by Thursday, the last parliamentary sitting day of the year.

But he put the kybosh on any hint of joining Katter's Australian Party, unlike veteran LNP MP Ray Hopper, who jumped ship to the Katter camp on Saturday.

Mr Judge said he hadn't yet given up on his "issues" with the Newman Government being ironed out.

"I am hopeful that can be achieved ... and I can continue with the LNP, but at this point I'm taking a window of time to consider the future,'' Mr Judge said yesterday.

His top priority was making sure the people of his electorate were listened to by senior government ministers.

"There's a lot of good members of parliament in the Liberal National Party; they're all fighting hard for their electorates and I'm hoping to be able to return to a similar position,'' Mr Judge said.

"But at this point I'm deciding on the future position I'll take and my loyalties are very much towards my electorate.''

Mr Judge said he was taking into consideration the controversies in which the Newman Government has been embroiled over its leadership and the influence of lobbyists.

"It's been reported extensively over recent times the challenges the Government face, and I simply say I'm considering my position in relation to the entire picture,'' he said.

"I'll be talking to people in my electorate.

"I'll be talking to friends I have within the party, to people I respect, and of course my family.''

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney earlier said Mr Judge had to give "a  100 per cent commitment'' to Premier Campbellnte Newman and the Government.

"It is a standard that we are going to demand from all of our members ... of displaying 100 per cent loyalty to the premier, 100 per cent loyalty to his team,'' Mr Seeney said.

Mr Katter said his party has had "a lot" of phone calls from disenchanted Queensland LNP MPs.

 


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Thinking of jumping ship: LNP MP Carl Judge.





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