Former Prime Minister quits party in response to “heavy hand” COVID-19

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Former Queensland Prime Minister Campbell Newman has resigned from the Liberal National Party because he was disappointed with the reaction of the state and federal governments to COVID-19.

In a statement released on July 26, Newman said: And freedom of speech and advocacy of freedom. “

“For me, the last straw was the destruction of people’s lives, jobs and freedoms under the generous government response to COVID-19 across the country,” he added. “Keeping Australians safe is important, but keeping us free is just as important. The two concepts do not have to be mutually exclusive.”

“Our federal and state governments have failed to respect not only the Liberal Party values, but also the spirit of individual liberty at the heart of the broader Australian values.”

Since last year, the Australian state government has implemented more than 11 blockades, and Victoria is one of the longest blockades in the world, lasting 112 days.

On July 24, in Sydney and Melbourne, thousands of protesters marched on their respective CBDs as part of a “global rally for freedom.”

Epoch Times Photo
Protesters march along Broadway and George Street to Sydney Town Hall at the World Wide Rally For Freedom anti-lockdown rally on July 24, 2021 in Hyde Park, Sydney. (AAPImage / Mick Tsikas)

Newman was Brisbane’s popular Road Mayer from 2004 to 2011, but was later parachuted into the Ashgrove constituency as leader of the state’s opposition and challenged the Queensland elections.

He won a landslide victory and made a history of leaving the Labor Party to just seven seats.

However, the pendulum looked back after the first term of 2015, and Newman lost power to the current Prime Minister Anastasia Parasek. The cause of the loss is due to the dismissal of 14,000 civil servants and the privatization of state-owned assets.

While on the sidelines, Newman has been a regular commentator on federal and Queensland politics.

Most recently, he has announced that he is aiming for a blockade. Sky news australia Companies were suffering while the public sector “maintained full employment security and wages are rising-in some cases well above inflation.”

Newman Potential execution Queensland Senate.

Meanwhile, LNP Mayor Tony Ayers thanked Newman for his service.

“LNP wants former Prime Minister Campbell Newman to do his best in his new direction,” Ayers said in a statement on July 26.

“Over the weekend, grassroots members and the LNP parliamentary team made a clear decision to lay a strong foundation for the future of the party and thus of Queensland and to pave the way for unity.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Party Leader Barnaby Joyce also respects Newman, but said his decision lacked political courage and the timing was designed to hurt the Liberal National Party.

Newman’s resignation took place the day after former Queensland opposition leader Lawrence Springborg was reelected as president of the Liberal National Party.

“Frankly, I don’t respect this,” Joyce told ABC Radio National on July 26th.

“Announcement without telling anyone in the middle of a meeting is not the first move of someone doing something that shows some kind of political courage. Obviously (that) timing is due to damage. “Joyce said.

“Why do you do that to those who previously supported you? Now I understand that people’s political views are changing, but the first move in a new political career is The first move was “I’m going to kick you”, reflecting the kind of politics to follow.

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