Tim Nicholls has emerged from the Liberal National Party spill as the new Queensland Opposition Leader.

Key points: Mr Nicholls defeated Mr Springborg by three votes

Mr Nicholls defeated Mr Springborg by three votes Deb Frecklington elected unopposed as deputy, John-Paul Langbroek steps down

Deb Frecklington elected unopposed as deputy, John-Paul Langbroek steps down KAP has concerned about working with Mr Nicholls

Mr Nicholls defeated Lawrence Springborg 22-19 in the second round of votes, LNP whip Ian Rickuss announced outside the partyroom meeting.

The meeting had been called by Mr Springborg to end months of speculation about his leadership of the party.

Nanango MP Deb Frecklington has been elected unopposed as Deputy Leader, with John-Paul Langbroek stepping down.

Tim Mander, a former NRL referee and Scripture Union head, was eliminated in the first round with 10 votes.

In that round, Mr Springborg secured 17 votes and Mr Nicholls 14.

Considering Mr Nicholls only had a third of the support in the first vote, he has had to answer questions on his ability to lead, or mend fences.

"Today was the opportunity to address issues which have been simmering for some time," Mr Nicholls said.

Sorry, this video has expired Tim Nicholls speaks to media after winning LNP leadership spill

"They have been clearly addressed. The resolve of the partyroom was, now having made that decision, that we come together as a team and take the fight up to the Labor Party."

Ms Frecklington has become the first woman to hold the position as deputy in the LNP.

"I am very proud to be representing rural and regional Queensland," she said.

The party was united behind its new leaders, Mr Rickuss said, enduring what was a "difficult mood".

"It is always difficult in these situations, you are voting against friends, or for friends," he said.

"Unfortunately these sort of things take your focus off the Government for a small amount of time.

"But now it is sorted, it is onwards and upwards."

Gracious in defeat, Mr Springborg and Mr Lanbgroek released a joint statement saying they had confidence in the new leadership team.

"Together with the support of our members ... we have built up the LNP and steered our party into an extremely strong electoral position," the statement said.

KAP found it 'difficult' to work with Nicholls in past

Mr Nicholls and Ms Frecklington, the first woman to rise to the LNP deputy leadership. ( AAP: Glenn Hunt )

The two Katter's Australian Party (KAP) MPs and independent Rob Pyne, whose votes are needed in the hung Parliament, backed Mr Springborg.

After the spill KAP MP Shane Knuth said they were disappointed with the result, but said they had been put "in a situation where we have to work with Tim Nicholls".

"We do have some concerns in regards to the combative-style nature the previous government imputed on Queensland over that last three years," he said.

Katter's Australian Party MPs Shane Knuth and Rob Katter address the media following an LNP leadership spill. ( ABC News: George Roberts )

"Tim Nicholls was the treasurer and we found it very difficult to work with him at the time."

Mr Nicholls was the face of the doomed $33 billion asset-leasing program.

"No doubt about it, we have concerns in regards to the asset sales agenda on behalf of Tim Nicholls," Mr Knuth said.

"We won't be supporting asset sales [but] there are things we may align ourselves with."

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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the electorate voted not to sell assets.

"The only thing that I'll make comment about Tim Nicholls is that everyone knows Tim was Campbell Newman's right-hand man," she said.

In the lead up to the spill, Mr Springborg had been criticised for failing to secure KAP support in Parliament, particularly recent changes to voting laws, which could have given the ALP an extra eight seats at the last election.

"It is ridiculous proposition," KAP's Rob Katter said. "It is ridiculous that we had some special relationship where we bent over on our own principals to align with each other.

"We aligned on some issues, it's as simple as that, and we hope to do that in the future.

"There are a few things we are concerned about, vegetation management, we want to still make sure we have the support to oppose those laws."