The task of getting Queensland back on track is now one seat harder, but the need to end the tired 20 year Labor Government remains the same, LNP Leader Campbell Newman said today.

Responding to the decision by Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth to leave the Liberal National Party, Mr Newman said Shane Knuth had chosen, wittingly or unwittingly, to help Labor or to create a political mess like that which exists in Canberra.

“The LNP is very determined to strongly contest the seat of Dalrymple and will shortly call nominations for a candidate,” Mr Newman said.

“I will not let down the people on the Atherton Tableland or those in Charters Towers or any other part of Dalrymple, but there’s no doubt they will be disappointed by Mr Knuth’s decision.

“I have said for some time that the choice facing Queensland is clear, a fresh new LNP team with a vision to energise the four pillars of our economy or a tired old 20 year Labor Government who lied on the fuel tax and deceived voters on selling state assets to get back into power.

“My choice today is to recommit myself to the state-wide need to get change in Queensland – not to be side-tracked by Shane.

“Ultimately a strong LNP Government will need strong people who can work within the disciplines that Government requires, and the disciplines that Queenslanders expect of strong Government. Regrettably, Shane has decided he wasn’t up to that.

“This issue serves to remind people that they need to vote against Labor, and for the LNP right across the State if they want to get rid of the incompetent Bligh Government.

“It won’t happen automatically. For those people perhaps still considering a vote for Labor out of loyalty to local Labor MPs while hoping the rest of the State votes the tired Labor Government out – today’s events show that you can’t leave it to assumption.

“Every vote will count and a vote for minor parties and independents only helps Labor, one way or the other.

“Today is one of those challenges you face in political leadership, but the challenges facing Queensland’s future are too big and too important to let this setback distract my team from focusing on offering a strong alternative Government.

“Yes, I am disappointed with Mr Knuth’s decision, and yes it makes the LNP job one seat harder – but I am unwavering in my determination to bring an end to this tired 20 year old Labor Government,” Mr Newman said.