A number of ministers this morning said the debacle - which has driven divisions within the LNP - was ultimately an example of the party’s emphasis on “democratic processes”.

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But Dr Flegg had earlier said the entire LNP executive participated in the ballot, helping to secure a win for Dr Christian Rowan.

Energy Minister Mark McArdle said it was time to move forward.

“I supported Bruce Flegg, but I do also acknowledge the branch membership and they had their say and the matter is now closed,” he said.

“Let’s move forward.”

Sport and Racing Minister Steve Dickson said the process showed the LNP was a broad church.

“That’s a matter for the preselecters in that area and I think whoever they’ve selected, they’re going to be an outstanding candidate,” he said.

“We’re a broad church and the proponents have had the opportunity to select their representative and they’ve done that.”

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said he stood by the internal processes. Mr Emerson was one of the LNP members who did not sign a letter endorsing Dr Flegg.

“Well, I left it to the democratic process of the party,” he said.

When asked whether that meant it was inappropriate for his senior colleagues to do so, he said: “I just left it to the democratic processes of the party.”

But he said there was a clear choice for voters at the state election, saying it was ultimately a choice between Premier Campbell Newman and Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk.

“I make it very clear - it’s a vote between Campbell Newman and his strong team and Annastacia Palaszczuk with no policies and brining back the same kind of people that caused the waste, the debt and the bungles in the first place,” he said.

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli said Dr Rowan would be a good candidate.

“What is important is that the people of Moggill will have a quality representative - there were two very good medical professionals that put their hand up, they’ve chosen Dr Rowan, I think he’s a quality candidate, they’ll get good representation,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli said branch members were more concerned with having a candidate stand at all.

“I think all that people care about is they get representation,” he said.

Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said the preselection battle illustrated the “contrast” between the internal processes of the LNP and ALP.

“I don’t think so at all, I think what it demonstrates is that the LNP has got very robust democratic processes,” he said.

Meanwhile, Housing and Public Works Minister Mander said it was “good to see the democratic process take place”.

Overnight, The Courier-Mail reported Mr Newman and senior MPs had been left red-faced after their preferred candidate in the Moggill preselection was dramatically dumped by the party branch.

The bitter preselection battle has left deep divisions between the LNP parliamentarians and the party’s executive just months before what is expected to be a tough election.

Dr Christian Rowan won preselection by 67 votes to 56.

But in a highly unusual move, Dr Flegg said all 24 members of the LNP state council turned up to the Moggill branch ballot, with their votes understood to have carried Dr Rowan across the line.

It followed 68 state MPs signing a letter of support for their colleague Dr Flegg, with Premier Campbell Newman, Treasurer Tim Nicholls and Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney among the signatures.

Following the vote, a dejected-looking Dr Flegg said the votes of the LNP state council made it “pretty hard to beat”.

“I can’t say I’m that surprised. We had the entire state council turn out. That’s pretty hard to beat,” he said.

Mr Newman congratulated Dr Rowan on his preselection and thanked Dr Flegg for his service as the member for Moggill.

“ I wish him all the best for the future,” he said. Dr Flegg said he was disappointed but accepted the verdict.

“At least on this occasion I had the opportunity of running,” he said. “We’ve come a long way from a month ago when I wasn’t deemed fit to stand.”

In October, the party’s state executive blocked Dr Flegg from contesting the preselection, but branch members rejected the sole candidate, Dr Rowan, forcing the second showdown.

The Moggill MP said he was going to reflect on his future with “a pretty good bottle of red wine” but would likely return to his work as a doctor.

Running as an independent was not on his agenda, he said.

Dr Rowan, a former Australian Medical Association Queensland president, said it was a “great honour and privilege” to be preselected by the LNP branch members.

He said the letter of support from Dr Flegg’s parliamentary colleagues was part of the “argy bargy” of politics.

“Dr Flegg was supported by his colleagues and I respect that, but we’ve had the democratic process today,” he said.

He said he would work the minimum hours as a doctor to maintain his medical registration, but would “commit full-time to being an MP and doing that in a re-elected Campbell Newman Government”.

LNP president Bruce McIver congratulated Dr Rowan and thanked Dr Flegg for his service.

Asked if it was the result the party wanted, Mr McIver said it was the result the branch members wanted.

“The membership of Moggill wanted a vote and they had that vote today,” he said.

Dr Flegg has served almost 11 years as an MP.

EARLIER: MOGGILL MP Bruce Flegg has lost the pre-selection battle and will not recontest the state election for the LNP.

LNP branch members from the west Brisbane electorate voted to oust the sitting MP in favour of former Australian Medical Association president Dr Christian Rowan during a preselection vote on Sunday

Dr Flegg said he was disappointed, but accepted the verdict.

“At least on this occasion I was allowed to contest,” he said.

He said he was likely to return to practising as a doctor and had not considered running as an independent.

Dr Flegg said he would likely reflect on his career with a bottle of red wine tonight.

Dr Rowan said it was a great honour and privilege to be pre-selected by the LNP branch members.

“This is a very democratic party,” he said.

He said he would work the minimum hours as a doctor to maintain his medical registration if he wins next year’s election.

Dr Rowan said he was humbled to be given the opportunity to represent the LNP in Moggill.

“I grew up in the electorate and with my wife Jane, we are raising our own family here,” Dr Rowan said.

“I know the issues which are important to my community as will be working hard to deliver the roads, jobs and frontline services we need.”

LNP President, Bruce McIver, congratulated Dr Rowan on his pre-selection.

“Christian is a respected doctor and local family man who will be a strong representative in a united LNP team, “ Mr McIver said.

“He is passionate about his community and as former AMAQ President is an experienced advocate for those he represents.”

Mr McIver and Dr Rowan paid tribute to the current Member for Moggill, Dr Bruce Flegg, who has provided strong representation for his community.

Mr McIver also thanked Dr Flegg for his loyal service to the LNP and Queensland.

“I would like to pay tribute to Dr Flegg and the manner he conducted the pre-selection in,” he said.

Asked if it was the result the party wanted Mr McIver said it was the result the branch members wanted.

“The membership of Moggill made the decision. The membership of Moggill wanted a vote and they had that vote today,” he said.

The entire LNP state council turned up to vote at the Moggill pre-selection, according to Mr Flegg.

Dr Flegg said it could have impacted the way the vote went.

“We had the entire state council turnout, that’s pretty hard to beat,” he said.