What’s the Buzz: Peter Beattie is NRL’s new media tart

FORGET Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis or Cameron Smith, Peter Beattie is now the most photographed figure in rugby league.

Peter Beattie at the Commonwealth Games.

RUGBY league has a new face of the game — independent commission chairman Peter Beattie.

Forget Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis or Cameron Smith, the former Queensland premier is now the most photographed figure in the code.

During the Commonwealth Games, Beattie tweeted 139 photos of himself. Correct. One-hundred-and-thirty-nine.

There is a genuine concern around the game that Beattie has become an overexposed media tart.

Some days he’d start on social media at 5am and sign off close to midnight. Compare this to AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder who has tweeted twice this year.

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Thanks to Commonwealth Games Australia for your strong support. #gc2018 pic.twitter.com/SePfJkvw3K

— Peter Beattie (@SmartState1) April 16, 2018

Peter Beattie tweeted 139 photos of himself during the Commonwealth Games.

Beattie was a self-described media tart during his life in Queensland politics, infamously featuring on the front page of The Courier-Mail under the headline “Send in the Clown” in 2013.

Beattie’s predecessor, John Grant, was a notorious limelight lover.

It was hoped the former politician would keep a lower profile, especially as he’s slipped up twice already in not knowing Cronulla were the Sharks, or the difference between a Barcelona soccer jersey and that of the Newcastle Knights. Not that he sounds that concerned.

“My job was to promote the Games — I make no apology for that,” Beattie said.

Peter Beattie tweeted 139 photos of himself during the Commonwealth Games.

“I didn’t present any medals … my focus was on promoting the Games and staff and social media is a great vehicle for doing that.

“Being shy is not one of the qualities I possess, but I suspect there will be less of me on social media now that the Games are over.”

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Peter Beattie is NRL’s new media tart