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Strong LNP support for 19 shadow ministers

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg says the LNP supports have 19 shadow ministers, including five who would not attract the frontbench allowance.

Queensland's Liberal National Party meet to elect a new leader
Queensland's Liberal National Party opposition will meet to discuss the shadow ministry on Tuesday. (AAP)

The Liberal National Party opposition is poised to outnumber the Queensland government's new streamlined cabinet by sticking with 19 shadow ministers.

LNP leader Lawrence Springborg says the Labor government's decision to cut the number of ministries from 19 to 14 will prove unworkable and won't alter his party's plans.

The LNP held a party-room meeting on Tuesday afternoon to discuss their shadow ministry, and Mr Springborg reported his MPs were well behind his plan for a 19-strong team.

"There's very strong support for the whole idea of making sure that we frame a future government, if we get the privilege of being the government again, which is very much around what are manageable portfolios with people who are hands on," he told AAP.

He said the government was a $50 billion state business and 14 ministers would not represent "the magnitude of government".

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"It makes sense to have portfolios that are manageable because otherwise you become frozen with indecision and you're not across your brief," he said.

Five of the LNP's shadow ministers would have to be volunteers because only 14 MPs would be paid a front bench allowance.

But Mr Springborg said LNP MPs understood that they could really only shadow the government.

"People are certainly very willing to make sure we have the commitment as individuals to provide a real alternative to Queensland," he said.

The opposition leader said the shadow ministry would be decided by the end of the weekend.


2 min read

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Source: AAP


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