IT is back to the future for the LNP, which today returned Lawrence Springborg to the party leadership.

The veteran MP was chosen after a near three-hour party room meeting to replace ousted premier Campbell Newman who lost his seat in the massive swing against the party at last weekend’s State Election.

His colleagues will be hoping it is fourth time lucky for Mr Springborg, who has previously led the party to three election defeats.

His deputy will be another former leader, John-Paul Langbroek, who was education minister in the Newman government.

MPs rejected the new broom ticket of public works minister Tim Mander and agriculture minister John McVeigh, opting for experience as it seeks to rebuild.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson and Speaker Fiona Simpson had also put themselves forward as contenders.

Mr Springborg entered today’s vote as favourite to take over the leadership, having been appointed to lead negotiations with crossbenchers over a possible deal to form a minority government.

The LNP currently trails Labor by 42 seats to 39, with five still in contention.

Independent Peter Wellington has pledged his support to Labor if necessary, while the two Katter’s Australian Party MPs have yet to decide who they would back.

Mr Springborg will now be tasked with trying to secure their support and potentially fighting a by-election in Ferny Grove.

Mr Springborg said the election outcome was still far from decided and he would continue negotiations immediately with KAP members Robbie Katter and Shane Knuth for an agreement based in faith and trust. He also stressed that the door was still open if Mr Wellington wanted to reconsider his position.

“What we have and what we need in these particular times is experience and competence.

“We can certainly offer stability and experience. We can offer a plan that is costed going forward.’’

He acknowledged that voters did not like the way the government went about some things during the last term and promised to be ‘’far more empathetic’’ in responding to the public’s concerns.

media_camera Former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman campaigning with his now replacement Lawrence Springborg before last week’s election. Picture: Jack Tran

Mr Springborg said Mr Newman had led the party through “very very difficult times” and no-one should take away from his achievements in delivering real outcomes for front-line services and addressing debt escalation and making the state a better place to do business.

“But the people of Queensland last weekend passed their judgement on our government they said that they would like a different direction in the future and I respect that.

“Campbell accepts that, we all accept that and we’ve moved now to a different stage of politics.

“We also understand that while there were parts of the LNP’s plan which were rejected by the people of Queensland last weekend such as the asset leasing, there are other parts of our plan for Queensland which still remain extremely relevant for the people of this state including our fine record of economic management.’’

New schools were being built, surgery waiting lists had been slashed. “So there are so many good news stories.

“We also know that while we did have a plan for Queensland, while we do have a plan for Queensland, our opponents don’t. It’s beholden on them that they can now explain where their $1.7 billion of savings are going to come from.’’

“We understand the people of Queensland were disappointed in certain aspects of our government. We understand that the people of Queensland wanted us to be far more empathetic with the concerns they have. we understand the people of Queensland want us to know that as we have to make those particular decisions which aren’t always popular, but we have to make, that we actually give proper consideration in a compassionate and real way about the impacts that the consequences of those decisions.

“We understand that. we are going to be making sure whether it be in, hopefully, government or in opposition that we rebuild that faith and trust which the people of Queensland shoud invariably expect of their elected representatives.’’

Mr Langbroek said he was personally very proud of the achievements in his education portfolio and that all LNP MPs on the Gold Coast had been returned.

Mr Springborg was first elected as to State Parliament as a 21-year-old in 1989. The Southern Downs MP has headed the party twice before and was integral to the merger of Liberal and National Parties in forming the LNP in 2008.

He resigned as leader after the 2009 election defeat – following similar failures in 2004 and 2006 – and became deputy to Mr Langbroek.

Mr Springborg stepped down when Mr Newman was chosen to lead the party from outside Parliament in 2011.

Former deputy leader Jeff Seeney and treasurer Tim Nicholls did not contest the leadership yesterday as the party sought to distance itself from the unpopularity of the last term.

Mr Springborg was seen as a strong performer in the difficult role of health minister.

media_camera Queensland LNP members Tim Mander and John McVeigh at Parliament House. Picture: Jack Tran

Earlier

HEALTH Minister Lawrence Springborg has reclaimed the LNP leadership after a four-way battle to replace Campbell Newman.

Mr Springborg will now be tasked with trying to piece together a minority government and potentially fighting a by-election in Ferny Grove.

The three time leader beat other aspirants, Tim Mander, Fiona Simpson and Scott Emerson.

It is back to the future for the LNP in returning Lawrence Springborg to the party leadership.

The veteran MP, who led the party to three election defeats, was today chosen by fellow MPs as the man to get the LNP back on track following its stunning hit at last weekend’s State Election.

Mr Springborg’s deputy will be Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek – another former party leader.

Mr Springborg entered today’s party room meeting as favourite to take over the leadership, having been appointed to lead negotiations with crossbenchers over a possible deal to form a minority government.

The Southern Downs MP was integral to the merger of Liberal and National Parties in forming the LNP in 2008.

He resigned as leader after the 2009 election defeat – following similar failures in 2004 and 2006 – and became deputy to Mr Langbroek.

Mr Springborg stepped down when Campbell Newman was chosen to lead the party from outside Parliament in 2011.