Tim Nicholls is the new leader of the LNP. Credit:Bradley Kanaris Deb Frecklington was elected unopposed as deputy. Mr Nicholls said there was "a lot of work to be done" but opened by paying tribute to Mr Springborg and Mr Langbroek's leadership, adding that he was "very grateful" for the "tremendous honour" the party had bestowed upon him. He said he believed he and Ms Frecklington brought the right mix of "experience and energy" to the leadership. LNP MP Dale Last emerged from the room saying it was a "new direction" for the party.

Deb Frecklington was elected unopposed as deputy. Credit:Bradley Kanaris Jann Stuckey, Lachlan Millar and Mark Robinson emerged from the room without giving their opinions to the media. One of Mr Nicholls favoured adversaries, the Electrical Trades Union, was quick to welcome Mr Nicholls back with a stinging comment. Tim Mander arrives. Credit:Bradley Kanaris "Deciding the ridicule he was bombarded with at the 2015 state election was not enough, the LNP party room have forced Mr Strong Choices, Tim Nicholls, to reluctantly lead them to the opposition's next election loss," it said in a statement.

"... Since announcing his plans to contest the LNP leadership on Thursday, Mr Nicholls has attempted to distance himself from the LNP's unpopular asset sales agenda." Tim Nicholls arrives, flanked by Michael Hart and Scott Emerson. Credit:Bradley Kanaris ETU state secretary Peter Simpson said Mr Nicholls' comments on privatisation "could not be trusted". "It has been funny to watch the shambles that is the LNP unravel in the public eye over the past week, but make no mistake, the LNP's agenda of privatisation is deadly serious," he said. Jeff Seeney is greeted by the media pack. Credit:Bradley Kanaris

LNP president Gary Spence congratulated the new parliamentary leadership team. "Tim Nicholls brings significant political experience to the position of parliamentary leader and with the talented Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, as deputy leader, the LNP remains the party committed to representing all Queenslanders," Mr Spence said in a statement. "They will form an effective team, holding an incompetent Labor government to account and promoting LNP policies to unleash Queensland's true potential in the lead-up to the next state election. "The organisational wing of the LNP looks forward to working closely with the new leadership team." Mr Spence also paid homage to Mr Springborg and John-Paul Langbroek's leadership.

"Lawrence is a man of immense integrity, held in high regard by the LNP, and with John-Paul, ensured the parliamentary team remained a strong and united force, exposing Labor's many weaknesses following the disappointing election result," he said. "Both men have made valued contributions to our party and it is my hope that they continue to do so." EARLIER The MP seen as the architect of the LNP leadership spill, Jeff Seeney, says "whatever the result", the party will unite behind its leader following the vote. Tim Mander, Tim Nicholls and incumbent leader Lawrence Springborg are in a three-way tussle for the leadership, which began after Mr Mander's supporters began agitating for change, for the second time in as many months earlier this month.

Mr Springborg called an urgent party room meeting to address the issue on Wednesday. Mr Mander resigned from the Opposition front bench and announced his intention to challenge. The following day, Mr Nicholls also threw his hat into the ring. Since then, party sources have told Fairfax Media Mr Mander's support had "collapsed" with some suggestion he had less than 10 votes. Both the Springborg and Nicholls camps were "confident" heading into the 11am vote. Arriving for the meeting, Mr Seeney said the spill was not "extraordinary" and was part of the "democratic process". "Fourteen months ago following an unexpected election result we elected a leadership team to negotiate with the cross benchers about forming a minority government," he said.

"That clearly didn't happen, and it is clearly not going to happen now. The important thing about today is that we select the leadership team that can take us to the next election." Mr Seeney would not say how he would be voting, but said that once the spill was done, it was done. "Absolutely, I think whatever the result today the LNP will unite behind the leader that they elect to take us to the next election and everyone, every member will work towards winning that election," he said. "... The question that they must ask themselves today is whether that leadership structure is appropriate to win an election, to win the next state election. Completely different question to what we considered 14 months ago. I don't think it is at all extraordinary, I think it is all part the democratic process, it is part of what all political parties do. We do it in a much more democratic way then the Labor Party." Mr Mander walked into the room by himself shortly after, only saying he would "save my talking for the party room".

Mr Nicholls, who walked into the room with Scott Emerson, Tracy Davis, Ros Bates and Michael Hart said he would "put my case to my colleagues in the party room and await their verdict". "That is all I can do," he said. "It has been an interesting 24 hours. I have enjoyed talking to my colleagues." Mr Springborg and his deputy John-Paul Langbroek walked into the room from a private entrance. The doors closed for the meeting just after 11am.

The spill motion, to be moved by Mr Seeney was expected to pass, with a vote thought necessary to "settle it". Votes will be carried out in a secret ballot. It's understood members have had to turn their phones in, which is apparently "standard practice" for party room meetings. Applause has since sounded three times, indicating the speeches have been delivered.

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