Source: The Mercury

NEW Queensland Nationals leader Lawrence Springborg has warned Liberal senators not to stand in the way of the ``tsunami of support'' for his plan to unite the conservative parties.

Mr Springborg and his Liberals counterpart Mark McArdle have reached an in-principle agreement to back a full merger of the parties.

But the move has angered influential party members, with three Queensland Liberal senators, George Brandis, Russell Trood and Sue Boyce on Wednesday publicly opposing the merger deal.

They also accused Mr McArdle of breaching party rules by making the in-principle agreement without first consulting the party's state council.

Former party president and powerbroker Bob Carroll has also dismissed a merger, arguing the parties needed to work separately for a time to rebuild support after the federal election loss.

Mr Springborg, who yesterday toured the Sunshine Coast, accused the senators of trying to protect their positions. ``I just say to them `Listen to people -- this is not about . . . Canberra-based politicians','' he said. ``They're trying to protect their position and they're reacting by trying to stymie it.

``That's a matter for them. But really, it's very hard to stand in the road of a tsunami and we have a tsunami of support for this. ``There should not be a tsunami of panic from people as they seek to protect their positions because frankly, they have nothing to fear.''

Mr McArdle said the senators were entitled to their view, just as were other party members. ``They are members that've cast their opinion but there are thousands out there that are yet to cast their vote,'' he said.

The Liberals' state council meets on February 3 to discuss the plan.