Bye Bye Beattie...
Is it just me or was everyone surprised, but a little bit proud of Peter Beattie for going so quickly and cleanly?
I wonder if John Howard is looking north longingly this morning, wondering if he should have pulled the pin last year? Got out while the going was good?
So how will we remember Peter Beattie?
Obviously, in this part of the world, he’s blotted his copy book. The Traveston Dam is a PR nightmare…Council Amalgamations…much the same…
It’s exactly one year on since the last election, perfect political timing I guess.…long enough after the election for the public to think it’s a fair cop, enough time before the next for Queenslanders to get used to a new leader (…possibly our first female premier…)
Anyway, how would you describe Peter Beattie? I’d describe him as fun fat and fifty, a bloke I’d probably like to be friends with. He’s a straight talker, good natured…and very very shrewd. I don’t know how long it will be before the conservatives get back into power…that’s how powerful the Beattie majority is.
The Australian newspaper today gives the Beattie Government a score of six and a half out of ten saying he squandered too many opportunities to score higher, saying that in a time of economic boom, Mr Beattie failed to invest in his state's future.
According to the editorial, there isn't enough water or electricity in Queensland; there aren't enough doctors or hospital beds; and the roads are choked….despite the fact billions of dollars are pouring into Queensland from the resources boom, the GST and rising property taxes.
On the radio this morning, the callers were emphatic, they are not happy with Peter Beattie…but seriously, he was a very popular premier for a very long time…and surely he deserves some credit!
Because the Beattie government has been slow to spend money, we have AAA credit rating in Queensland, so his fiscal management has been responsible.
He’s made some positive moves on the environment, slowing or stopping tree clearing around the state, he’s promoted women, reformed the courts, particularly in the way it deals with young people…we have a prep year in state schools…you can’t smoke in public places in Queensland any more…
I wonder if John Howard is looking north longingly this morning, wondering if he should have pulled the pin last year? Got out while the going was good?
So how will we remember Peter Beattie?
Obviously, in this part of the world, he’s blotted his copy book. The Traveston Dam is a PR nightmare…Council Amalgamations…much the same…
It’s exactly one year on since the last election, perfect political timing I guess.…long enough after the election for the public to think it’s a fair cop, enough time before the next for Queenslanders to get used to a new leader (…possibly our first female premier…)
Anyway, how would you describe Peter Beattie? I’d describe him as fun fat and fifty, a bloke I’d probably like to be friends with. He’s a straight talker, good natured…and very very shrewd. I don’t know how long it will be before the conservatives get back into power…that’s how powerful the Beattie majority is.
The Australian newspaper today gives the Beattie Government a score of six and a half out of ten saying he squandered too many opportunities to score higher, saying that in a time of economic boom, Mr Beattie failed to invest in his state's future.
According to the editorial, there isn't enough water or electricity in Queensland; there aren't enough doctors or hospital beds; and the roads are choked….despite the fact billions of dollars are pouring into Queensland from the resources boom, the GST and rising property taxes.
On the radio this morning, the callers were emphatic, they are not happy with Peter Beattie…but seriously, he was a very popular premier for a very long time…and surely he deserves some credit!
Because the Beattie government has been slow to spend money, we have AAA credit rating in Queensland, so his fiscal management has been responsible.
He’s made some positive moves on the environment, slowing or stopping tree clearing around the state, he’s promoted women, reformed the courts, particularly in the way it deals with young people…we have a prep year in state schools…you can’t smoke in public places in Queensland any more…
2 Comments:
That was very diplomatic you should be a politician yourself.
Well said Caroline! You might not like him or understand him but you should respect him..personally I thought he had great integrity but never voted for him myself. So what does that say about me? I am just not a Labor supporter.. BUT..I liked the man!
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