Queensland Senator Gerard Rennick quits LNP to launch his own party
Senator Gerard Rennick will begin to register his new political party after quitting the LNP.
The Queensland senator announced on Sunday that he was leaving the party to bring “bread and butter” issues into public debate ahead of the next federal election, which is due by May 2025.
The senator told The Sydney Morning Herald that he would establish the Gerard Rennick People First Party and planned to start the registration process on Monday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Senator Rennick said while he was unsure of how long he will be in the Senate, he added: “I’d rather use that time to talk about really important issues rather than just play tiddlywinks.”
The senator was kicked off the LNP’s federal election ticket in July and his attempts to appeal due to alleged “gross irregularities” with the process were rejected.
Senator Rennick is keen to introduce inquiries on issues such as increasing the tax-free threshold to $40,000, addressing how childcare support is structured and looking at a public bank financed by quantitative easing.
“After learning how the Senate works I know a bit about how it works that we can get these inquiries up and going,” he told the SMH.
Senator Rennick said the decision was nothing against Liberal leader Peter Dutton.
The senator raised eyebrows during the COVID-19 pandemic when he questioned the efficacy of vaccines and mandates.
