Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg. Credit:Glenn Hunt Mr Mander told ABC Radio it was time for "new and innovative" and "fresh" leadership and while Mr Springborg had done a "good job of stabilising the party" it was time for something "bold". "Everywhere I go right throughout Queensland and my local community, people keep advising me that they want a fresh change to the leadership of the LNP, they want someone who has got new ideas and can provide the fresh start that we require to make sure we keep this incompetent Labor government accountable," he told ABC. But he was coy on whether or not he had the numbers to take the leadership, which would require 21 votes. "Well, we will find that out on Friday," he said.

Tim Mander Credit:Bradley Kanaris "I know that there is a very overwhelming feeling of change. "Lawrence Springborg has done a great job in providing a stable leadership after our devastating election loss, however in this part of the election cycle now, it is important, I believe that we have somebody that is bold and innovative and can invigorate the leadership of the party. Tim Nicholls Credit:Glenn Hunt "...Let's see what will happen on Friday – I do know that there are many of my colleagues that do believe the same thing, that they want a change. There is great respect for Lawrence, however we believe, right now, it is time for new leadership with fresh ideas to provide a fresh start."

Mr Mander said he would not be running on a ticket and would be "simply" running for the leadership, and that "fresh" leadership was required to challenge the Labor government at the next election - and that it needed to be done now. "I am not going to focus on what Lawrence has done or hasn't done, he has done a good job in stabilising the party," he said. "But I think the people of Queensland are looking to their conservative side of politics to provide fresh, bold, innovative new ideas to provide strategic direction and to show that they can be a credible alternative government." Mr Mander came to parliament in the 2012 landslide win which saw Campbell Newman elected to parliament with a historic majority. He said his relative inexperience in parliament - compared to Mr Springborg who has almost three decades under his belt - was not a hinderance to his leadership ambitions. "I have 30 years of leadership experience in both public and private sector, I don't think people are looking for professional politicians – what they are looking for is people who are authentic and people who are willing to serve the Queensland public and I believe I have the track record of doing that and I believe my skills can help the LNP win government at the next state election," he said.

He also dismissed his critics suggestions that his marginal seat - Everton, traditionally a Labor seat, was reduced to a margin of less than 2 per cent at the last election, would be a problem, using an argument which relied on a uniform swing to counter it and borrowed heavily from his former leader who was forced to defend his own marginal seat. "I don't really see the relevance – if we don't win my seat, we definitely won't be in government," he said. "It is a totally different situation to the situation with Campbell Newman, where it was possible for him to lose his seat and for us to retain government – that is not the case with me. There are seven seats more marginal than mine – so if I don't win my seat, we definitely won't win government." Mr Mander said while Mr Newman was "mathematically not right" when he used that argument - which ultimately was borne out to be correct, he had the numbers on his side. As long as the entire state voted the same way. "We could lose his seat, because it was a 4.5 per cent swing, but a 7.5 per cent swing to lose government," he said.

"I can't – we have to gain percentages, not lose them. So if I don't win my seat, that would mean that seven other seats haven't been won either which means we won't be forming government." Mr Springborg had sought to bring leadership rumblings to a head by calling an early party room meeting for Friday, in an attempt to head off his challengers. But he didn't mention a spill. Former deputy premier Jeff Seeney did that for him, announcing to colleagues he would move a motion for a leadership vote himself, but did not intend to stand for any of the positions. Mr Mander had previously been the face of a failed leadership coup in February, which didn't get off the ground. Speaking ahead of an event on Tuesday evening, Mr Springborg said he would "tell his story" to his colleagues, but would not speculate further.

"It is a democratic party and they have a democratic opportunity to express their views," he said. "...As I have always done so and I know it is to the frustration to many people, including in the media, I'll keep my comments relating to any discussions like this, in the party room and I am not speculating beyond that. "I will tell my story to the party room and that is what I intend to do. What others do is a matter for them." Earlier Jeff Seeney is forcing a spill motion for the LNP leadership, while confirming he will not stand for a position himself.

Mr Seeney has confirmed to colleagues that he will move "a motion at that special meeting calling for the positions of Leader and Deputy Leader of the LNP Parliamentary team to be declared vacant and new nominations called for the positions". The former deputy premier, who was virtually sidelined since the 2015 election, told colleagues he believed "this is the appropriate course of action" given the "extraordinary circumstances" after the "devastating election result" which fogged the last leadership vote when party members still hoped they could form minority government. "That is clearly no longer the case and the party must now consider whether the current leadership structure is appropriate to contest the next state election," Mr Seeney has told the LNP MPs. "While I will not be a candidate for any position I believe putting this question to the special party room on Friday will resolve this leadership issue and allow us to move forward towards winning the next election." The move means neither Tim Mander or Tim Nicholls have to push the spill themselves and bring on the vote, leaving both free to nominate as candidates.

LNP phone lines are running hot with votes being counted in what is so far a tight contest. Earlier Lawrence Springborg has thrown down the gauntlet to his would-be challengers for the LNP leadership, calling a party room meeting for Friday to bring on the vote. Supporters of Mr Springborg have suggested the LNP leader would act sooner than the planned Monday meeting, as his potential challengers decide whether to put their hands up or not. Tim Mander and Tim Nicholls have been suggested as alternatives.

Mr Mander, who holds the seat of Everton by less than 2 per cent, was the face of an aborted leadership challenge in February. Mr Nicholls is still seen as tainted by the Newman government years. Nanango MP Deb Frecklington has been suggested as the deputy for either, but has only said she supports the leader. Critics blame Springborg for voting blindside Mr Springborg won the LNP leadership by one vote against Mr Mander after the February 2015 election. The split in the party has remained since, with agitators plotting for a spill.

This time around the one-upmanship Labor pulled during the last parliament sitting, when it blindsided the LNP by passing compulsory preferential voting with the help of the crossbench, has been used as the trigger. One of Mr Springborg's strengths had been his stated ability to negotiate with the crossbench, particularly the Katter party MPs, who had felt ill-treated and ignored by the former LNP government. While the LNP has had success with winning over the Katter party in the hung parliament, it was taken completely by surprise by the compulsory preferential voting move. Despite no one in the party seeing it coming, Mr Springborg has borne the brunt of the blame. His critics also question his ability to win city votes in an election and what they perceive as his "soft" approach with dealing with the Palaszczuk government.

Springborg camp confident Mr Springborg's supporters dispute the city argument and point to his previous primary vote support and say after the Newman government, attacks on anything other than policy would not be welcomed by the public. The Springborg camp is confident he would remain leader, citing the party's continued popularity in the polls. On a two-party preferred basis, the LNP has flip-flopped with Labor for the lead but the LNP's primary vote stays relatively stable - and considerably higher - than the government's. Others within the party were not as sure that Mr Springborg would retain the leadership. "I wouldn't be that confident that it is the case," one LNP source said.

"He might be confident, but the official counting will start now. Those who are interested will start the 'what are you thinking' conversations. "He's brought it forward to get the advantage, as many of us thought he would, but it's still not a done deal." Others expected Mr Mander to have to formally challenge before Mr Nicholls would throw up his hand. "That's the way we would expect it to go, if it does," one said. Mr Springborg called the meeting for 11am on Friday, in a letter sent to colleagues.

Lawrence Springborg's letter: in full Dear Colleagues, You would all be aware that in recent days there has been a lot of anonymous media commentary from a handful of colleagues about the direction of the LNP. Given the ongoing nature of this commentary, I am keen to provide an early opportunity for any of these Members to be able to raise their issues with you directly. I have therefore decided to bring forward our scheduled party-room meeting to 11am this Friday, 6th May.

I appreciate this will cause some inconvenience to many of you. However I believe it is important to bring forward this meeting given State Parliament is sitting next week; given the LNP is kicking off its Toowoomba South by-election this Saturday with our candidate endorsement; and given the reasonable prospects that a Federal Election could be underway by next Monday. I look forward to your attendance; and look forward to your ongoing support. Lawrence Springborg ​​Labor responds Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt said he "was hearing" Mr Springborg did not have the numbers to see off a challenge.

"They're, on the LNP side, are focused on changing leaders, trying to do themselves in and do each other over," he said. "We're in the business of making sure we're looking after Queensland and fighting against a Coalition government, which has really gutted us in this budget." Mr Pitt used Mr Springborg's support of the Turnbull government's federal budget, delivered on Tuesday night, to deliver a broadside against the LNP leader. "What I've seen today is a tweet from the current opposition leader, Lawrence Springborg, that very clearly shows he can't count on any measure," he said.

"What he can't do is count the number of people supporting him in the party room and he clearly can't count if he thinks Queensland is better off as a result of the Morrison budget." The LNP leadership rumblings had Labor ministers fielding questions about a possible early election on Wednesday. Health Minister Cameron Dick said while the timing of the state election was a matter for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, he did not expect her to come under pressure to go to the polls while the LNP was in disarray. The Labor caucus will be meeting over the next two days to discuss the government's reaction to Tuesday night's federal budget. "I don't anticipate that will form any formal part of the agenda over the next two days," Mr Dick said.

​Leadership rumblings 'annoying' Earlier, Mr Springborg described potential leadership posturing from rivals as "annoying" and urged any potential challengers to come forward at a party room meeting. The LNP leader said while his colleagues were entitled to put their names forward, the leadership rumblings were distracting from the party's attacks on the Palaszczuk government's decision to change the state's voting laws without consultation. "The greatest majority of my colleagues are very, very annoyed that there are a few people that have wanted to agitate in this way because frankly they're letting down our supporters and they are letting down Queenslanders," he told ABC Radio. Mr Springborg urged those behind the leadership speculation to speak up at a party meeting.

"People have the chance ... to raise any of these issues and I certainly hope that they do," he said. "I think many of our colleagues would like to understand the logic, as strange as it may be, of a small number of individuals and the extraordinary way they've gone about this." Reshuffle not ruled out The Opposition Leader questioned how serious any challenge would be, dismissing the reports as "rumour, speculation and innuendo". "In politics there's lots of rumour, there's lots of speculation and there's lots of innuendo," Mr Springborg said.

He also refused to rule out a reshuffle of his frontbench following the leadership posturing. "By and large, I've been very happy with the performance of my team but leaders always reserve the right (to challenge), as I do and future leaders will as well." Loading Stay informed. Like the Brisbane Times Facebook page. - with Cameron Atfield and AAP