Cairns MP Rob Pyne has announced his resignation to the Labor party saying he wants to avoid being muzzled and controlled by party mechanics.

Mr Pyne handed his letter of resignation yesterday and will sit on the crossbench as an independent from next week.

He told Fairfax the decision has been a long time coming.

Rob Pyne audio courtesy of Fairfax

Rob Pyne announced his resignation last night,  and despite him announcing in January, his intention to withdraw his vote future party legislation, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she didn’t know of Mr Pyne’s intention to leave.

Annastacia Palaszczuk audio courtesy of the ABC

The move has evened the power balance of the states two major parties with both now having 42 MPs in the House.

Image: http://www.qsss.com.au/