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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Ben Smee

Living on the wedge: why the Coalition faces threats from left and right in Queensland

Coalition LNP Queensland George Christensen Jack Dempsey Labor Dawson Keith Pitt Bundaberg Adani
George Christensen in his final speech to parliament
George Christensen in his final speech to parliament. His departure from the LNP illustrates the challenges facing the Coalition in the upcoming election. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

In the space of an hour on Thursday night, two Queensland Liberal National stalwarts made announcements that shook the party from the right, and then the left.

First, George Christensen announced he had formally left the LNP – ending a political farce that has seen the retiring federal MP for Dawson slide deeper into far-rightwing anti-government conspiracy, all the while remaining a member of the government.

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