'Scorned Vaughan' puts pressure on Newman

Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser said dumped former Shadow Minister Vaughan Johnson had laid down the gauntlet to Campbell Newman, telling the unelected candidate for Ashgrove or whoever might lead an LNP Government that he will demand to be included in its Cabinet.

Mr Fraser said Mr Johnson and other experienced LNP MPs Howard Hobbs and Mike Horan were dumped by Mr Newman and Opposition Leader Jeff Seeney because of their support for former leader Lawrence Springborg.

"Vaughan Johnson, Howard Hobbs and Mike Horan all have Cabinet experience from the Borbidge years, but Campbell Newman's petty backroom politics saw them dumped immediately," Mr Fraser said.

"Now it seems that Vaughan has taken a stand, telling the ABC this morning that he has no intention of being a humble backbencher should the LNP win Government, as Mr Newman has told him he will be.

"Vaughan is scorned and he's telling Mr Newman or whoever could potentially lead the LNP that he will not stand for anything less than a Cabinet post.

"What Vaughan would really be hoping for is that Campbell Newman gets defeated in Ashgrove so Mr Springborg or Mr Langbroek could sneak back into the leadership.

"This is just another example of the torrid infighting the LNP is famous for.

"It's easy to forget that almost half of the LNP caucus voted for Fiona Simpson instead of Jeff Seeney last year, thumbing their nose at Campbell Newman's undemocratic takeover.

"Despite Campbell Newman's constant mistruths, everyone knows the LNP is anything but united.

"They are too many old rivalries and too many scores to settle. They are not fit to be the Government of Queensland."

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
27/01/2012
'Scorned Vaughan' puts pressure on Newman

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Publish Date: 27 Jan 12

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