Maranoa Regional Councillor Cameron O’Neil is one of 12 of the Queensland Liberal National Party’s 2019 leadership team to be named in a $1 million lawsuit launched by former LNP Brisbane councillor Kate Richards.

In December 2020, Ms Richards launched a Supreme Court defamation action against 12 members of the party’s current or former leadership team, claiming $1 million in damages after losing her income as the LNP councillor for Pullenvale.

Along with Cr O’Neil, Ms Richards is suing her former colleague in City Hall, Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner, then-LNP president David Hutchinson, current president Cynthia Hardy, former state LNP leader Lawrence Springborg, past president Gary Spence, former member of the state executive Malcolm Cole and state director Michael O’Dwyer.

Legal representatives for Ms Richards claim a media statement released by the LNP on December 10, 2019 defamed Ms Richards by falsely stating she had committed “corrupt” and “criminal” conduct while a councillor.

She was removed as an LNP candidate for the Pullenvale Ward and referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission in December last year, before being cleared by the watchdog three months later.

The Western Star reached out to Cr O’Neil, however was unable to get a hold of him.

A defence has yet to be lodged.