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LNP focuses on win, not One Nation deal

Queensland Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls insists he can win majority government at the November 25 state election, refusing to commit to a One Nation minority

(AAP Image/Regi Varghese) NO ARCHIVING
Queensland Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls says he can win majority government on November 25. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Liberal National Party Leader Tim Nicholls has refused to commit to accepting One Nation's support if the minor party holds the balance of power after the Queensland election.

One Nation is polling strongly in individual electorates across the state, and could find itself in the position of kingmaker if it picks up a predicted handful of seats in the November 25 poll.

Mr Nicholls has repeatedly ruled out forming a coalition with One Nation but on Monday again refused to address such questions, claiming "regular Queenslanders" weren't interested in "political games."

"I've been asked that question plenty of times, my position has always been that we are going into this contest to win," he told reporters.

"We are focused on delivering majority government and the LNP is the only party that will be able to bring about majority government that will bring about the change that Queenslanders want."

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Mr Nicholls also refused to name the six seats he believed the party could pick up to reach the magic number of 47 seats which would grant him a majority in the new 93-seat parliament.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk repeated her concerns on Monday that a vote for One Nation was a vote for the LNP and vice-versa.

"If you want chaos, vote for One Nation and Tim Nicholls together. If you want stability, you're looking at it," she told reporters in Townsville

The opposition leader travelled to the Sunshine Coast on Day 16 of the campaign to announce $215 million to build the Sunshine Coast Hospital Link Road.

Mr Nicholls said the previous Newman government had committed to building the link, but the Palaszczuk government hadn't picked it up over the last three years.

The link road will cost $430 million in total, with the federal government to pick up the difference, and Mr Nicholls insisted his federal counterparts were "keen" to support the project.

Mr Nicholls earlier apologised again to Queenslanders for his actions while treasurer in the Newman government, which saw 14,000 public servants sacked.

Asked on ABC radio if he had a personal credibility problem, Mr Nicholls said he'd made amends.

"I've apologised and admitted and taken responsibility for my role in the previous government, as I think I should," he said.

Monday also marked the official start of voting, with pre-polling opening, which traditionally favours conservative parties.

But Mr Nicholls said it wouldn't affect the way he campaigned.


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