The Queensland LNP’s newly elected leadership team, Tim Nicholls and Deb Frecklington, have visited the Cassowary Coast region, as part of their first tour of regional Queensland.

Hosted by local Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, Mr Nicholls and Mrs Frecklington met with chamber of commerce and industry representatives and local LNP party members in Tully.

Opposition Leader, Tim Nicholls, said the regions played an important role in Queensland’s economy and he wanted regional areas to be strongly involved in the LNP’s future plans.

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is pandering to the Greens by putting up more and more barriers to regional economic growth – that’s not what the LNP believes in” said Mr Nicholls.

Deputy Opposition Leader, Deb Frecklington, said she was delighted to be in Tully to meet with North Queenslanders and connect with regional communities in her new leadership role.

“I made some great friends in this region during my time as Shadow Agriculture Minister and I will use that knowledge in my new role as Deputy Opposition Leader” said Mrs Frecklington.

Mr Cripps said he was pleased that the new Leader and Deputy Leader had prioritised a visit to North Queensland so soon after being elected to lead the LNP in the Queensland Parliament.

“I welcome Tim and Deb to the Cassowary Coast region and was more than happy to spend time with them talking to people from local small businesses and farmers” said Mr Cripps.

“The LNP has a very strong connection to regional Queensland and as a proud North Queenslander, it was great to have Tim and Deb in the Hinchinbrook electorate so soon” he said.

Mr Nicholls and Mrs Frecklington have asked Mr Cripps to continue serving in the Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Northern Development.