The Liberal National Party have gone on an election war-footing, attacking Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's credibility and integrity over her axing of scandal-prone MP Rick Williams.
Ms Palaszczuk disendorsed the Pumicestone Labor MP late Friday following allegations he threatened a local newspaper owner, a move which clears the decks for an imminent election.
The likely trigger for a November 25 poll, expected to be called on Sunday, prompted the opposition to brand the premier as "unprincipled, weak and undisciplined" after she stood by Mr Williams to ensure her minority first-term government held power.
Ms Palaszczuk admitted on Saturday the latest in a string of complaints against the Bribie Island-based MP was the "last straw" after she'd previously put him on notice for failing to meet her standards.
But shadow treasurer Scott Emerson questioned her motives and character after backing Mr Williams since coming to power in January 2015.
"She's known about this behaviour for three years," Mr Emerson said. "It is an opportunistic and unprincipled move.
"Day in and day out Annastacia Palaszczuk has endorsed Rick Williams and his thuggish behaviour and now on the eve of the election, when she doesn't need his vote anymore, she flicks Rick.
"This decision shows how weak and undisciplined Annastacia Palaszczuk is as a leader."
Mr Emerson called on the premier to name her election date immediately after spending the past week hosing down fevered speculation about a Sunday announcement.
During this past week, Ms Palaszczuk said it would take something "serious" or "extraordinary" for her to call the election this weekend.
Mr Emerson said her wording raised suspicions she knew about the latest complaints - that Mr Williams made a threatening phone call to The Islands and Surrounds owner Belinda Ferguson on Wednesday - while parliament was sitting.
"Did Annastacia Palaszczuk know this days ago or was she conning Queenslanders again?" he asked.
"She needed Rick Williams' vote in parliament ... including the last week."
Ms Palaszczuk said she was advised of the complaint on Thursday and her office spoke to Ms Ferguson on Friday. She then made the call to disendorse Mr Williams.
Mr Emerson said the LNP faced a "tough battle" and would start as election underdogs as they are fighting against Labor, the Greens, unions and activist group GetUp!.
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