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Nicholls not on Frecklington frontbench

Tim Nicholls has not been included in new LNP leader Deb Frecklington's 23-member frontbench.

Tim Nicholls is surrounded by Anti Adani protestors.
Former party leader Tim Nicholls has been left out of his successor Deb Frecklington's frontbench. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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New Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has drawn a line under the party's poor November election result by leaving her predecessor Tim Nicholls out of her shadow cabinet.

The former Liberal National Party leader was a notable omission from the 23-member team unveiled on Friday.

Ms Frecklington said she had hit reset on the events of the past and would now work to win back the trust of Queensland voters.

"This is a fresh start, (deputy opposition leader) Tim Mander and I, we've drawn a line in the sand," she said.

Ms Frecklington said she would have no worries having Mr Nicholls as a member of her shadow cabinet, but she had gone with a "new breed of the LNP".

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The opposition leader said she would be recommending to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk he be appointed chair of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Commission.

"This is a very important job within the Queensland parliament, some would say the most important job, and I think Tim Nicholls is just the man to do that," she said.

Mr Mander, Andrew Powell, Fiona Simpson and Ros Bates were the big winners in the shake-up, while Ms Frecklington's leadership rival John-Paul Langbroek was relegated to the sport and racing portfolio.

The Gold Coast-based MP, who was previously the opposition's health spokesman, retained the Commonwealth Games and was also given multicultural affairs.

David Crisafulli, who has been touted as a future leader, was appointed shadow minister for environment, science and the Great Barrier Reef, and was handed the tourism portfolio.

Mr Mander will serve as shadow treasurer in addition to his role as deputy opposition leader.

Mr Mander said he was excited to take on Treasurer Jackie Trad.

"I'd back myself over Jackie Trad any day of the week," he said.

"One thing I can assure Deb (Frecklington) is that I'm not using this position as a stepping stone as Jackie Trad is."

Mr Powell was appointed shadow minister for state development, manufacturing, infrastructure and planning, while Ms Bates was given the health portfolio.

Ms Frecklington moved former shadow attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie to education and also made him manager of opposition business.

Labor has continued to hammer the LNP about its links to former premier Campbell Newman since the November 25 election, this week connecting Ms Frecklington to the previous government.

But Mr Mander said it had to stop.

"She (Ms Palaszczuk) can't blame Campbell Newman anymore, she can't blame Tim Nicholls anymore," he said.

"She needs to grow up and take responsibility for her decisions."


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