Dickson prepared to quit over merger delay
Posted
At least one Queensland Liberal MP says he is prepared to quit the party over delays to a merger with the Nationals, while others are considering their future.
The Liberals State Council last night agreed to delay the vote.
MP Steve Dickson says he is prepared to jump ship to a new conservative party.
"If people don't get their say, yes, this weekend I definitely will," he said.
Liberal leader Mark McArdle and his deputy Tim Nicholls are also considering their options.
Meanwhile, Nationals leader Lawrence Springborg has told his party's conference the merger cannot be stopped.
"This is not the end, this is just the beginning, this will come to be," he said.
Liberals state president Mal Brough says the convention has not been called off, just postponed.
"Overwhelmingly Liberals want a merger, they still want a merger," he said.
Mr Brough says he is continuing talks with the Nationals, and will address Liberal MPs this afternoon.
Young Liberals
The Queensland Young Liberals says they hope Mr Brough will run a meeting of members tomorrow to debate a merger with the Nationals.
The Young Liberals' president Shane Goodwin says members will turn up tomorrow, despite last night's outcome.
"I was pretty disappointed with the decision last night, I was one of the 21 who voted against Mal Brough's motion, and I'd be encouraging all of the Young Liberal members and all of the members of the Liberal Party to attend tomorrow and have their say," he said.
"I'd hope that Mal Brough will run it as president and chair."
Liberal headquarters has announced that Mr Brough is in meetings this afternoon to try to resolve the issue.
