Senior minister Anthony Lynham says Queensland does not need an early election

Extract from ABC News

By Andree Withey

Updated about 5 hours ago

Photo: Dr Anthony Lynham does not want the Premier to call an early election. (Supplied.)

Related Story: Premier calls for calm as Rob Pyne contemplates future

A senior Queensland Government minister says an early election is the last thing he needs, despite the Premier flagging it as a distinct possibility.

Anthony Lynham, Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, said he did not want an early election.
Yesterday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warned State Parliament she would call an early poll if she did not get the support needed after the defection of Cairns MP Rob Pyne from the ALP.
Dr Lynham said he was determined to support Ms Palaszczuk's jobs agenda.
"[An election] is the last thing that I need at the moment," Dr Lynham said.
"The Parliament just has to function like a parliament, we have to make sure that we have the crossbenchers on side,"
"We have to make sure Robert Pyne sees commonsense.
"I do not want an early election — I want jobs, I know the Premier wants jobs."
Dr Lynham said the Government had shown it could function well with the support of the crossbenchers.

Photo: Cairns MP Rob Pyne has quit the ALP but still supports the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. (ABC News: Kristy Sexton-McGrath )

"It has always been up to the crossbenchers ever since this Parliament started," he said.
"Our legislation is getting through — we have to ensure it keeps getting through."
Mr Pyne quit the ALP because he felt overpowered in his north Queensland seat by party machinery in Brisbane.
He had previously flagged issues with the Government's failure to act on coal seam gas, the powerful mining lobby and a woman's right to choose abortion.
But Mr Pyne said he personally assured Ms Palaszczuk last night he would support the State Government in matters of supply and confidence.
However, he said his support was contingent on Ms Palaszczuk remaining leader.
"I don't believe Queenslanders or Australians have any appetite for political parties or parliaments that change premiers or prime ministers during their term, and I won't be supporting anyone other than Annastacia Palaszczuk during the term of the 55th Parliament," he said.
The Government is now down to 42 seats in Parliament, equal to the LNP.
It is reliant on the support of the five crossbench members.

Dr Lynham said he wants the government to run its full term.