Jeff Seeney

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Jeffrey William Seeney (born 2 February 1957 in Brisbane, Queensland) was the Leader of the Queensland National Party (thus Leader of the Opposition of Queensland) from September 2006 to January 2008, and is Member for the seat of Callide in the state parliament of Queensland. Seeney was elected to parliament at the 1998 state election and appointed leader of the Opposition on September 18, 2006 but was defeated by former Leader Lawrence Springborg on January 21, 2008. Seeney was the former Chairman of the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO).

As the deputy leader of the state opposition, Seeney's portfolios included State Development, Small Business, Information Technology and Innovation, Industrial Relations, Water and Energy.[1]

Seeney received a certificate in Rural Business Management from QUT.

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[edit] Leadership

Following the coalition's loss at the 2006 state election, standing leader Lawrence Springborg relinquished leadership of the opposition and the Queensland National Party. On September 18, 2006 Jeff Seeney was endorsed as the new state National Party leader, with Maroochydore representative Fiona Simpson as his deputy.[2] Disputes have been reported between the pair regarding the allocation of office space and staff. [3]

Following his election as leader, the former National member for Callide, the Hon. Di McCauley resigned from the party.

On 31 January 2007 Bruce Flegg, the Leader of the National's Coalition Party the Liberals, committed to allowing Jeff Seeney to take the premiership regardless of which party won the most seats. [4]

Members of Seeney's party, the Nationals, have been highly critical of Bruce Flegg.[1] However a recent opinion poll also showed that Seeney himself had the lowest satisfaction rating of any Queensland Opposition Leader in 14 years despite favouring quite well as the preferred Premier in comparison with his predecessors.

Shortly before his own retirement, Labor Premier Beattie predicted that former Opposition Leader, Lawrence Springborg, would be drafted back into the leadership of the Nationals. However Springborg continues to rule out any leadership intentions and there is no mood for change within the Nationals. [2]

Seeney has also publicly called for his coalition partner,the Liberals to sort out their leadership issue.[5]

[edit] Political career

Jeff Seeney served on the Monto shire council from 1992 to 1998, serving as the Deputy Mayor for the last four years. During this time, he worked on the National Party's State Central Council from 1991 to 1998. Seeney was elected Deputy leadership of the National Party alongside leader Lawrence Springborg in February 2003, and since December 1999 has served in the Shadow Ministry.[6]

After Deputy Fiona Simpson withdrew her support for Seeney, he announced a partyroom challenge to take place on Monday, with former leader Lawrence Springborg the front runner. There are also increasing talks of a merger to form a single 'non-Labor force' in Queensland.[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "State Members Mr Jeff Seeney MP", Queensland National Party, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-18. 
  2. ^ Steven Wardill and Rosemary Odgers. "Seeney takes National Party reins", Herald Sun, 2006-09-18. Retrieved on 2006-09-18. 
  3. ^ Steven Wardill. "Squabble shatters Nats unity", Courier Mail, 2007-05-14. Retrieved on 2007-05-14. 
  4. ^ "Let Nats Govern", Courier Mail, 2007-01-31. 
  5. ^ "Liberal leadership speculation frustrates Seeney", ABC, 2007-07-23. 
  6. ^ Antony Green. "Queensland Election, 2006", ABC News, 2006-09-07. Retrieved on 2006-09-18. 
  7. ^ Bring on challenge, says Seeney | The Australian

[edit] External links