Thread: See ya Pete

QUEENSLAND Premier Peter Beattie has announced his resignation from politics.

Mr Beattie will formally stand down after a special Cabinet meeting on Thursday, he said.

He has acknowledged he has made mistakes during his nine years in power, but said he wanted to be remembered as a Premier who "did his best".

His deputy, Anna Bligh, is the frontrunner to replace him, becoming Queensland's first woman premier.

Mr Beattie's wife Heather said at the weekend she did not want her husband to contest the next state election, due in 2009.

Dr Beattie, who recently retired after a successful career as a nurse educator, said her husband was a “tired, exhausted, man with bags under his eyes”.

Mr Beattie said he had spoken to federal Labor Leader Kevin Rudd about his decision. Mr Beattie's policy of forcing council amalgamations had been exploited by Prime Minister John Howard in recent weeks in a state where Labor must pick up seats if it is to win power federally.

Mr Beattie said he had stayed on as long as he had because he "had obligations to Queenslanders in relation to issues of health, the water grid and obviously council amalgamations.

"I stayed to make sure that that work was either done or well on the way. That's now been done."

Mr Beattie added that he had not given much thought to what he would do in his life after politics, but ruled out moving to the backbench or a switch to federal politics.

"I have no interest in federal politics, I did a long time ago but they have well and truly passed."

Nine years at the top

Mr Beattie, who has been Premier for nine years and is the longest-serving current Labor leader, had earlier this year announced he was considering retirement.

On Friday Mr Beattie told radio interview he would make a decision "soon" and he is expected to leave politics altogether.

Queensland Cabinet ministers had earlier talked down speculation that Mr Beattie would retire.

In July, Mr Beattie - who turns 55 in November - told the Queensland ALP conference he would spend the next 12 months considering his political future.



In July, Mr Beattie - who turns 55 in November - told the Queensland ALP conference he would spend the next 12 months considering his political future.

Queensland Liberal leader Bruce Flegg said Mr Beattie would be breaking an election promise if he did not stay for the full term.
- with AAP


http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22392949-2,00.html

Originally Posted by incisor

and who would you have had in his place?

name 1 other politian currently in qld with a political iq above 5 ?

Its not about who else,

Its the Governments responsibility to provide the infrastructure needed. For the last 10 years Qld has had the biggest growth rate of any state yet has spent NOTHING on water. (oh wait, Paradise,,)


lucky the guy before him built a few hey,,,