Editing Lawrence Springborg (section)

==2006 election==
As [[water management]] became an increasingly important issue during the drought, Springborg criticised Labor's handling of the water issue.  Amid speculation that the [[2006 Queensland state election|2006 state election]] election would be called early, the Liberal Party deposed Quinn and elected [[Bruce Flegg]] as leader in his place, who has in the past had a poor relationship with Springborg.  Springborg pressed Beattie to serve a full term and not call an election before one was due.  On 15 August 2006, Beattie called an election for 9 September of that year. Springborg again conceded defeat at 8pm on 9 September 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/beattie-wins-historic-fourth-term/2006/09/09/1157222376444.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 |title=Beattie wins historic fourth term |publisher=smh.com.au |date=9 September 2006 |accessdate=24 March 2011 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104080528/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/beattie-wins-historic-fourth-term/2006/09/09/1157222376444.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 |archivedate=4 November 2012  }}</ref>

In the wake of his second election defeat, he announced his resignation as leader of the National Party on 14 September 2006. His former deputy, [[Jeff Seeney]], ascended to the leadership position uncontested on 18 September 2006, alongside [[Queensland Legislative Assembly electoral districts#Sunshine Coast|Maroochydore]] representative [[Fiona Simpson]] as Deputy Leader.<ref>{{cite news
 |author = Steven Wardill and Rosemary Odgers
 |url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20431025-5005961,00.html
 |title = Seeney takes National Party reins
 |publisher = Herald Sun
 |date = 18 September 2006
 |accessdate=18 September 2006
}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>