Liberal Democrats stand down Queensland executive, alleging overspend on Campbell Newman campaign

Campbell Newman speaks to the media with other Liberal Democrat candidates. The party’s national leadership has stood down the Queensland executive. Photograph: Aaron Bunch/AAP

The national leadership of the Liberal Democrats has stood down its Queensland state executive, accusing them of refusing to pay debts racked up at the federal election at which the party failed to have the former premier Campbell Newman elected to the Senate.

The move has sparked internal turmoil within the libertarian party, with the Queensland leadership group claiming the debt has been contrived by the national executive, whom they alleged had promised a share of tax refunds on political donations to pay the bills, only to renege on the deal.