Campbell Newman - Newman Government

Newman Government

Normal practice in Australia calls for a defeated government to stay in office on a caretaker basis until the final results are in. However, the day after the election, with the LNP's victory beyond doubt even though counting was still underway in several seats, Bligh announced she was resigning as premier and retiring from politics. An hour later, Newman announced that he intended to advise Governor Penny Wensley that he was able to form a government. He also announced that he intended to have himself and his top two shadow ministers, Seeney and Tim Nicholls, sworn in as an interim three-man government until a full ministry could be named, with Seeney as deputy premier and Nicholls as treasurer.

Newman was formally sworn in as Queensland's 38th premier on 26 March. His interim government remained in office until the full ministry was sworn in a week later. Upon swearing-in, he became the first non-Labor premier from the Brisbane area since Digby Denham left office in 1915. He is also the first person since Federation to lead a party to victory while not himself serving in the legislature at the time of the election.

Newman entered office in a very strong position, with the largest majority government in Queensland history. He has announced that he will focus on rebuilding Queensland's economy and setting its finances in order. He also asked his large party room to put together plans to "deliver their promises" in their own seats.

On 29 March, Newman announced his support for newly elected Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk's proposal to extend the parliamentary term in Queensland to four years, as is the case in the other states. He also gave Labor the full rights and resources of an officially recognised party even though Labor was short of the nine seats required for official party status.