Lawrence Springborg stepping down as Liberal National Party president
The party elder – who played a decisive role in the formation of the LNP – informed members today that he intended to bow out of the job next month.
Mr Springborg was elected party president in 2021 after a decades-long stint in state politics, which included serving as leader of the opposition and health minister.
In an email to LNP members, Mr Springborg said he wouldn't renominate for the presidency when the LNP convention is held in August.
He said it had been a 'rare honour' to serve in the role and that he will always be grateful for the opportunities the LNP had given him.
'My personal undertaking when I took on this role, was, that I would steward the party until the year after the state election, which also was a federal election year,' he said.
'This was known to my family and very few others, for obvious reasons.
'I wanted to make this announcement now, to provide our party's membership with enough time to properly contemplate the critical decisions that they will need to make around the party's leadership going forward into state convention.'
Mr Springborg, who is also currently the mayor of Goondiwindi, said he would now spend more time with his wife and family.
'My farm which in so many ways defines my heritage and my values and my role as local mayor will continue to keep me occupied and other business opportunities as they may arise,' he wrote.
'Thank you for your kindness, friendship and support over many years, I will continue to cherish it.'
Mr Springborg led the conservative side of politics in Queensland to three state elections during the 2000s.
He was health minister in the Newman government, before briefly serving again as opposition leader when Annastacia Palaszczuk was premier.
In 2008, Mr Springborg played a crucial role in the merging of the Liberals and Nationals in Queensland – and was the inaugural parliamentary leader the LNP.
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