Hopper defects from LNP to join Katter

Veteran Queensland MP Ray Hopper (R) has resigned from the Liberal National Party (LNP). Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND Premier Campbell Newman says Ray Hopper's defection is not a sign of division within his government.

Mr Newman told reporters he's confident there won't be any more defections despite Mr Hopper's claims four other MPs will quit the Liberal National Party (LNP) early in the new year.

"Already we've seen the people he's nominated (to be considering defection) as being rock solid," Mr Newman said on Sunday.

He challenged reporters to "ring them all; go for your life".

Mr Hopper, MP for the rural Darling Downs' electorate of Condamine, resigned from the LNP on Saturday night to join Katter's Australian Party (KAP).

His departure comes after mining billionaire and LNP life member Clive Palmer quit the party on Thursday.

In a written statement on Sunday, released after Mr Campbell had appeared with Treasurer Tim Nicholls, Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney and LNP president Bruce McIver to deny any party discord, Mr Hopper said there were "worsening internal conflicts" in the LNP.

"The LNP are not interested in governing for regional communities and the party is at war with itself," he said.

"The Liberals are trying to take complete control and the National Party has been slain."

Mr Hopper was rumoured to have entertained joining the KAP before the March election, but Mr Newman said he had given a written assurance he would serve a full term as a LNP member.

The premier said Mr Hopper had "betrayed the people of Condamine".

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said his departure was a sign of discontent within the LNP.

"We are seeing members of the LNP disgruntled and as we see with Ray Hopper, defecting to another party," Ms Palaszczuk told reporters.

She dismissed suggestions the KAP could end up having more numbers and replacing Labor as the state's opposition, saying she was not going to "deal with hypotheticals".

Federal independent and KAP leader Bob Katter told AAP Mr Hopper had been unhappy with the government's leadership for some time.

He said Mr Hopper had felt pressure from the party to give in to coal seam gas (CSG) and the sell-off of Cubbie Station.

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