THE AUSTRALIAN -

FIRST-TERM Queensland senator Russell Trood is considering a bid for Michael Johnson's lower house seat of Ryan, complicating what will be a strongly contested preselection for the Liberal National Party.

Senator Trood was bumped to the unwinnable fourth position on the Senate ticket after Queensland's conservative forces merged to form the LNP in 2008.

The foreign affairs enthusiast and former associate professor of international relations at Brisbane's Griffith University is understood to be discussing with local branch members a possible move to the House of Representatives.

Senator Trood yesterday refused to rule out a bid but said he was focused on his task in the Senate. "I am concentrating on winning my rather difficult Senate seat back," he said.

"It's a huge challenge but we did win four (seats) in 2004."

Another contender, Seb Monsour, a property developer and the brother-in-law of Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, said he was still discussing his options with supporters but made clear he would stand aside if Senator Trood ran.

Brisbane city councillor Jane Prentice lodged her nomination for preselection yesterday, pledging to unite local LNP members. Ms Prentice has been the councillor for the Walter Taylor ward, which is contained within the Ryan electorate, for a decade.

The LNP executive resolved last week that Mr Johnson had brought the party into disrepute by using his parliamentary position and facilities to further business interests.

Mr Johnson has vowed to run as an independent at the election due later this year.

Ryan used to be a safe Liberal seat but the strong Labor swing in 2007 and an electoral redistribution have left the conservatives holding the seat with only a 1.1 per cent margin.

LNP state director Michael O'Dwyer said the party had received "a considerable number" of expressions of interest for the seat.

By Roseanne Barratt