Door closes on senator's bid to save colourful career
A divisive senator's last-ditch bid to rescue his parliamentary career has reportedly been dashed by his party.
Gerard Rennick had hoped to remain on the Liberal National Party's ticket ahead of a state council meeting at a three-day conference in Brisbane from Friday.
He had launched an appeal after he narrowly lost a 2023 pre-selection ballot for third spot on the Queensland LNP's senate ticket.
Mr Rennick claimed there were "gross irregularities" with the process but the appeal was rejected.
He escalated the complaint to the Supreme Court in Brisbane but it was dismissed in June, with Justice Glenn Martin ruling Mr Rennick had failed to lodge legal action in time.
Mr Rennick had a final chance to salvage his political career via the LNP state council but it has reportedly upheld the Supreme Court's decision at a closed-door meeting on Friday, ending his battle.
Mr Rennick gained notoriety during the pandemic for questioning the efficacy of vaccines and mandates and has controversial views on issues such as Ukraine and immigration.
Former senator Ian Macdonald said it was a contentious opening morning at the state conference given the council decision.
But he said it should not be a distraction ahead of the Queensland poll.
"Our focus should be on the October election," he told AAP on Friday.
"We're as close as we've ever been."
Mr Rennick has been contacted for comment.
The LNP conference began debate on a long list of resolutions on Friday.
They included the age of criminal responsibility, first-home stamp duty exemptions and introducing fines for local councils that fail to approve housing construction in line with housing targets.
One of the most contentious items was giving every pregnant woman in Queensland a "baby box" full of goodies such as nappies.
But nuclear energy does not feature in the 173 items up for discussion.
Queensland-based federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has unveiled plans to build seven nuclear power plants if the coalition wins government in 2025.
The policy was backed by Nationals leader David Littleproud, who is due to join Mr Dutton at the LNP conference on Saturday.
Their approach to nuclear is not supported by Queensland's Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli.
The convention's list of resolutions is lengthy but makes no mention of nuclear energy, although Mr Dutton and Mr Littleproud might raise the issue during their addresses to the conference on Saturday.
Mr Crisafulli will address the event on Sunday.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner spoke at the conference on Friday, spruiking his success at the recent local government elections while also taking an opportunity to slam opposing parties.
"I've received emails from Nigerian princes which have more credibility than Greens party promises," he told the packed room.
