The Liberal National Party faces a choice between the old and the new following the huge swing against it at the Queensland election.
Three days before their federal colleagues decide whether Tony Abbott remains prime minister, Queensland's LNP MPs make their own crucial leadership choice at a Saturday party room meeting in Brisbane.
Two-time former opposition leader Lawrence Springborg appears most likely to take the reins after Treasurer Tim Nicholls, the pre-election favourite to replace defeated premier Campbell Newman, confirmed he would not stand.
But the announcement on Friday afternoon by Transport Minister Scott Emerson, seen as a next-generation leader, that he would stand has made the race more intriguing.
"Whatever the outcome, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues as part of a united LNP team," Mr Emerson said.
Speaker Fiona Simpson is the only other MP to declare her intention to stand, citing the need for a fresh start and her popularity in pre-election polls.
Mr Springborg was authorised by the LNP executive this week to negotiate with the parliament's three crossbenchers - independent Peter Wellington and Katter's Australian Party duo Rob Katter and Shane Knuth.
But his position was undermined by Ms Simpson's tilt and Mr Wellington's revelations that LNP members were jockeying in the background.
Ms Simpson said she had received great feedback from colleagues.
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow," she told AAP. "It will be up to the party room (but) I'm greatly encouraged."
Ms Simpson said a fresh approach was needed after the harsh style of the Newman government.
"It's a very different parliament," she said.
With six seats still in doubt following a week of counting, the LNP still holds hope of retaining government, meaning the party room must consider who would make the best premier.
Political analyst Clive Bean said Mr Nicholls' non-candidacy meant Ms Simpson and Mr Emerson were legitimate chances to surprise and then oppose Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk.
"You'd have to say it's a very open field," the Queensland University of Technology professor said.
"It's about rebuilding the party from a stunning election reversal.
"There's a possibility that someone could come through the middle."
Labor, which was reduced to seven seats at the 2012 election, is projected to win 44 seats, and could form a minority government with the support of Mr Wellington, but uncertainty remains in the seats of Ferny Grove and Maryborough.
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