Queensland election 2015: Campbell Newman's demise no surprise, says Anna Bligh
By Kerrin Binnie and Nick Dole
Updated February 12, 2015 10:56:27
Photo: Anna Bligh cannot hide the smile, commenting in Sydney on Campbell Newman's downfall. (ABC News)
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Map: Brisbane 4000
Former Queensland premier Anna Bligh says the downfall of Campbell Newman has come as no surprise to her.
Ms Bligh was speaking for the first time since Mr Newman's defeat in the state election 11 days ago.
She said there would now be a return to accountability in Queensland.
"There is nothing about this result or what's happened to Campbell Newman that surprises me," Ms Bligh told ABC News.
In 2012, Labor was overwhelmingly defeated by the Liberal National Party (LNP) led by Mr Newman.
He campaigned heavily on what he called Labor's economic incompetence and the need for a tougher stance on law and order.
During the bitter campaign, Mr Newman consistently rejected questions from Ms Bligh about his integrity.
I think we've seen a Government with a big majority is not necessarily good government.
Anna Bligh, former Queensland premier
Ms Bligh quit politics the day after the 2012 election and Annastacia Palaszczuk was later elected as the party's Queensland leader.
Coming into the January 31 poll, the LNP held a majority of 73 seats to nine over Labor.
Labor now looks set to win 44 seats and form a minority state government with the support of independent MP Peter Wellington.
"What Annastacia Palaszczuk will bring back to Queensland is a sense of accountability, transparency, she'll be a great listener and a very good performer," Ms Bligh said.
"I think we've seen a Government with a big majority is not necessarily good government.
"Queensland voted against it and I know that Annastacia's heard that message loud and clear."
Ms Bligh also served in a minority government under premier Peter Beattie and said it would work well this time too.
"I know that it can work," she said.
"If you look back at that time it was a good strong government that got things done."
Ms Bligh now lives in Sydney.
Topics: elections, alp, liberal-national-party, brisbane-4000, sydney-2000
First posted February 11, 2015 17:03:42
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