Peter Beattie reflects on legacy 25 years after he became the 36th premier of Queensland

A quarter of a century on from taking power in Queensland, the state’s colourful 36th premier still has plenty to say to today’s politicians of both sides.

Former premier Peter Beattie in 2007.

• In his words: Ideas, not political assassination
• 25 years on: Peter Beattie’s legacy

Former Queensland premier Peter Beattie has urged today’s current crop of politicians to scrap the ego-driven slanging matches in favour of developing decent policies, while admitting he was thankful he didn’t serve through the social media age.

Reflecting on 25 years since he became Queensland’s 36th premier on June 26, 1998, Mr Beattie said “like many Australians, I have tired of the political slanging matches”.

“Of course, I believe in robust debate but … such nastiness is bad for the general welfare of our democracy,” he wrote in an opinion piece for The Courier Mail to mark the occasion.

“We need more conviction-based politicians who go into political life to make a difference and not be time servers who rely on political bastardry to get elected.”

Peter Beattie was the 36th premier of Queensland. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Mr Beattie, who turned 70 last November, also said bipartisan debate on key issues was crucial for the good of the state, and urged Queensland’s politicians to be honest and own up to their errors.

“To be a parliamentarian is not to raise such a representative above the people who elected them, but rather to be in their service, that is to work on their behalf,” he said.

“It means working with all sections of society with dignity and respect. Indeed, to listen to all points of view to help reach a fully informed decision which will pass the test of time.

“If a mistake is made, real leadership means owning that mistake openly and honestly and correcting it.”

Peter Beattie (front) and Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg in 2007. Picture: David Martinelli

And the former Labor leader’s long-running battle with political opponent LNP leader Lawrence Springborg was, Mr Beattie said, steeped in deep respect – something he said our current political leaders need to remember.

“ (Mr Springborg) and I contested two elections against one another. I had respect for him as a person,” he said.

“We disagreed on policy, but he was a formidable opponent and a decent person. Our elections were a contest of ideas and policies not nastiness.

“Australian political leaders need to establish a mutual respect in public discourse where the public debate is a battle over ideas not a battle of egos underpinned by nasty attempts at political assassination.”

Peter Beattie and wife Heather at the Tally Room in 1998.

Mr Beattie also lamented the “sad” fact the current bunch of politicians were “too often led by social media instead of leading it”.

“Twenty-five years ago, was thankfully pre social media which I accept has both good and bad implications,” he said.

But he was also full of praise for the government’s new policy of free kindy for four-year-olds, saying it was an “example of good policy”.

“The LNP’s David Crisafulli should respond with an equally imaginative policy to benefit young Queenslanders,” he said.

“That is how parliament wins and retains public respect and support.”

Robert Schwarten, Anna Bligh and Peter Beattie arrive at a Labor Caucus meeting in 2007. Picture: AAP Image/Liam Kidston

Mr Beattie defeated National Party premier Rob Borbidge in 1998, and served as premier for more than eight years. He handed over the leadership through a succession plan with Anna Bligh – something he has previously stated he believes Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk should be planning.

Despite the global challenges – citing the upcoming US election and the totalitarian governments in China and Russia on the rise as “depressing” – Mr Beattie said “there is hope”.

“The greatest honour a citizen in a democracy can receive is to be elected to parliament to represent their fellow citizens in developing policies and then implementing them for the benefit of the whole community,” he said.

“Good policy leads to good government.

“I had this honour 25 years ago, which is why I will always be indebted to Queenslanders.”

BEATTIE’S POLITICAL CAREER

1975: Beattie joins the ALP.

1977: Runs first state seat campaign in Rosalie.

1978: Admitted as a solicitor and becomes secretary of Queensland Railway Station Officers Union.

1981: Takes over as ALP state secretary.

1985: Seeks but loses federal preselection in Redlands.

1988: Retires as ALP secretary. Is a Labor Party solicitor during the Fitzgerald Inquiry.

1989: Elected to parliament for seat of Brisbane Central in the first Queensland Labor government in 32 years.

1995: Becomes health minister.

1996: Becomes Labor leader after Wayne Goss loses power in Mundingburra by-election.

1998: Becomes Queensland premier when Labor wins 44 seats out of 89 at the state election and forms a minority government with Independent MP Peter Wellington.

2001: The Shepherdson Inquiry reveals several party members, including deputy premier Jim Elder and newly elected MP Mike Kaiser, were engaged in electoral rorts. Beattie forces the MPs to quit politics and orders others to resign from the ALP. But extraordinarily, Labor still wins 66 seats of 89 at the election.

2004: Queensland goes to the polls amid questions over the state’s child protection system, but Beattie still wins 63 seats.

2005Speaker Ray Hollis resigns over a parliamentary expenditure controversy, and deputy premier Terry Mackenroth retires, forcing
by-elections. Seats are lost to Liberals. The Patel scandal also erupts at Bundaberg Hospital.

SEP 2006: Beattie calls an election and wins 59 seats, capitalising on a Liberal leadership change. It makes him the only state Labor leader since NSW premier Neville Wran to win a fourth consecutive term in office.
He tells his MPs they are “on notice” as Queenslanders have given them “one more chance”.

OCT 2006: Former tourism minister Merri Rose is referred to the Crime and Misconduct Commission for a blackmail attempt.

JAN 2007: The then-Crime and Misconduct Commission charges former minister Gordon Nuttall with corruptly receiving payments of almost $300,000 from mining magnate Ken Talbot.

APR 2007: The Beattie government orders review of the state’s council boundaries and Beattie orders a halving of number of councils, sparking widespread anger.

MAY 2007: Merri Rose is jailed for three months.

JUL 2007: Beattie reveals he will consider his future over the next 12 months. Meanwhile, emergency services minister Pat Purcell resigns and is charged with assaulting two public servants.

AUG 2007: Parliamentary secretary to the health minister Karen Struthers pleads guilty to drink-driving.

SEP 2007: Beattie announces retirement date of September 13 and Anna Bligh is sworn in as premier.