Former Queensland Housing Minister Bruce Flegg will not contest his blue-ribbon seat of Moggill for the Liberal National Party (LNP) at next year's state election.
LNP branch members from the west Brisbane electorate voted to oust the sitting MP in favour of former Australian Medical Association president Dr Christian Rowan during a preselection vote on Sunday.
The LNP executive ruled out Dr Flegg from contesting the seat in October, following a string of controversies.
But Dr Rowan, his chosen successor, was later rejected by branch members, who were annoyed they didn't get a say.
That left LNP bosses in a bind, but they eventually allowed both men to stand for preselection.
After the secret ballot on Sunday, Dr Flegg told reporters the vote most likely signalled the end of his political career.
"I don't have any plans to do anything else (politically) - it's been an interesting and colourful time," the once Liberal leader said.
"I love medicine, I love looking after people as patients and the likely thing is I'll go back and do more of that."
Dr Flegg said he thought he would have had a better chance if it was just branch members voting, but he also had to contend with the party's entire state council having their say.
"That's pretty hard to beat, but that's the way it is and you accept the verdict," he said.
Dr Flegg went into the meeting with a letter of support bearing the signatures of most sitting LNP MPs including Premier Campbell Newman, but it wasn't enough.
Dr Rowan said he would maintain his medical registration by performing the minimum number of hours required, like Dr Flegg had, but he didn't think it would impact on his ability to be an effective MP.
"My intent is to work very hard for this electorate, commit full-time to being an MP and doing that for a re-elected Campbell Newman government," he said.
LNP President Bruce McIver paid tribute to Dr Flegg for the way he conducted himself during the preselection, but wouldn't comment on whether the state council's votes got Dr Rowan over the line.
"No one knows how anyone voted, it's a secret ballot, so I can't tell you how people voted," he said.
Branch member Kevin Stewart said he voted for Dr Rowan, because he represented the future of the electorate.
"I really think today was democracy in action," he said.
Dr Flegg has represented Moggill since 2004.
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