The Queensland Liberals and Nationals had spent too long in the past squabbling over the spoils of opposition, but are now in a better position to win government, federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull says.
Mr Turnbull is in Townsville for the LNP's inaugural state council meeting, three months after the merger of the Liberals and Nationals in Queensland.
Addressing a corporate dinner tonight ahead of the meeting, Mr Turnbull paid tribute to those who forged ahead with the merger against the odds.
"The formation of the LNP - now the Queensland division of the Liberal Party of Australia - is a triumph of leadership over indecision," Mr Turnbull said.
"It represents a decision that the conservative forces of Queensland were tired of squabbling over the spoils of opposition.
"(They) had recognised that they had failed the people of this state by not providing a viable alternative to an inept state Labor government and had resolved that now was the time to unite as one force to give Queensland the good government this great state deserves."
More than 150 delegates will meet for the state council this weekend.
LNP leader Lawrence Springborg said the party's first major meeting would debate policies to take to the state election due next year.
"The LNP state council is the supreme decision-making body of the party, and this weekend's meeting will examine policy proposals and ratify the election of office bearers in regions and branches throughout Queensland," Mr Springborg said.
Mr Springborg is expected to make a policy announcement tomorrow in his address to the council.
LNP candidates for the state seats of Townsville, Mundingburra and Thuringowa will be selected on Sunday.
