Lawrence Springborg - 2004 Election

2004 Election

The campaign for the 2004 state election relied heavily on Springborg's personal profile. He literally ran for much of the campaign, appearing jogging through State forests on electoral advertising emphasising his physical fitness. The Nationals marketed Springborg merchandise extensively, including life-size cardboard cutouts. In a move unthinkable for Nationals of an earlier era, he appeared in a Courier-Mail photograph clad only in a towel and ironing his own shirt.

Springborg's family life attracted some comment when media observers criticised his wife for not appearing alongside him during the campaign. Springborg angrily defended his wife's decision to stay home and care for their young family.

Throughout the campaign, Liberal leader Bob Quinn appeared at Springborg's side, intended to emphasise Coalition unity, but underlining for Liberal supporters their resentment at what they saw as their "second-fiddle" status.

Despite scandals involving electricity and child protection, as well as a motorway through the Gold Coast, an issue which destroyed the Goss Government, the Beattie Government was elected with its substantial majority almost completely intact. The Nationals gained a total of three extra seats and the Liberal-National Coalition, despite the efforts of both parties' leaders, again broke down.