How Qld's LNP spill played out

QUEENSLAND LNP's LEADERSHIP SPILL AT A GLANCE

THE CONTENDERS

* Lawrence Springborg: Former Newman government health minister, three-time opposition leader, widely regarded as the "father" of the LNP, having driven its creation from the old Liberal and National parties.

* Tim Nicholls: Former Newman government treasurer, strong negotiator and confident in front of the media. The architect of the Newman government's Strong Choices asset sales agenda rejected by voters at last year's election.

* Tim Mander: Former NRL referee and Scripture Union Queensland CEO who pitched himself as the fresh-faced and innovative leader. Mr Mander narrowly lost to Mr Springborg for the job after the LNP's election defeat.

THE REASON

* Mr Springborg's leadership was questioned after Labor was able to blindside the LNP last month to force the reintroduction of compulsory preferential voting. He has also failed as opposition leader three times before and his popularity was low in polling.

THE RESULT

* First ballot: 17 votes to Mr Springborg; 14 to Mr Nicholls; 10 to Mr Mander (eliminated)

* Second ballot: 22 to Mr Nicholls; 19 to Mr Springborg

THE WINNER

* Mr Nicholls begins his first stint as LNP leader, bringing experience and political nous to the role. But his position in the Newman government also has him tagged to the unpopular asset sales plan. He only received a third of the first round party-room votes and got the nod thanks to the support of eight of the 10 MPs who placed their initial confidence in Mr Mander siding with him.

THE QUOTE

"Today was the opportunity for us to address issues that had been simmering for some time. They've been clearly addressed and the resolution and the resolve of the party room was, now having made that decision, that we come together as a team and take the fight up to the Labor party." - Tim Nicholls