Littleproud reiterated the disagreement centred on demands including a pro-nuclear energy policy, creation of a $20 billion Future Fund for regional infrastructure and introduction of powers to break up major supermarkets.
“It was a challenging time. It was done with no malice, no malice whatsoever,” he added.
The 2025 event was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in South Bank.
Credit: William Davis
Premier David Crisafulli, multiple state ministers and Brisbane City Council deputy mayor Fiona Cunningham were among those in attendance at the yellow and blue-clad event.
The member for Maranoa confirmed he still thought nuclear energy – which polling suggested was unpopular across the country – was the best option for Australia.
“I believe passionately in it,” he said.
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“I believe we need base-load power, but I just ask you to understand that this reckless race that we are going down, an all-renewables path, is destroying regional Australia.
“Regional Australia is more than just a place littered with transmission lines, solar panels and wind turbines … It’s your food security that’s been ripped up.”
Littleproud added the National Party was taking lessons from the loss, despite holding onto all its seats.
“The election was devastating,” he said.
“Let me make it clear, we’ve got to accept [voters] couldn’t trust us to put a vote next to [our name] but they held their nose and voted for Anthony Albanese.
“It’s not because they’re in love with him, it’s because we didn’t do a good enough job in selling that message. So there is not the challenge, but the opportunity.”
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Credit: William Davis
O’Brien accused the government’s Economic Reform Roundtable of conspiring to control the lives of all Australians.
“You should have seen what was on display: the unity between big government, big unions and big super funds,” he said.
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“They are going to masterplan how every ordinary Australian lives their lives in the future.
“If you ever have any doubt about being a Liberal National, spend three days locked up … in a socialist summit.”
The deputy Liberal leader then took his own stab at government energy policy, but did not mention the net-zero commitments that divided his party in recent weeks.
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