Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Beattie retires

By Scott Prasser - posted Tuesday, 18 September 2007


Peter Beattie, Labor premier of Queensland since 1998 announced his retirement just 12 months after being re-elected for his fourth term. Beattie is one of Australia’s most outstanding politicians, standing head and shoulders over those in his own party, the pathetic state opposition, and to some extent even his current fellow premiers.

Beattie, both in his long political career in the tough factionalised world of the Queensland Labor Party, and as a member of parliament since 1989, has shown outstanding leadership qualities and great political skills. Perseverance and tenacity in the face of seemingly unwinnable situations, along with great tactical abilities in exploiting the politics of situations, mark Beattie’s style. Combined with tremendous energy it means Beattie never gave up.

These abilities were evident in Beattie’s early days in the Queensland Labor Party. When the ALP were in opposition in Queensland for what seemed forever (1957-89), as branch member and then as Party Secretary, Beattie fought for federal Labor executive intervention to reform the decrepit faction ridden party. He stuck at it when there seemed no chance for a Labor revival and when others would have sought careers elsewhere.

Advertisement

When Labor under the leadership of Wayne Goss finally toppled the National Party in 1989, Beattie’s own prospects were limited. He chaired the Criminal Justice parliamentary committee, often being offside with the government because he defended the new Fitzgerald inspired institutions of public accountability. Beattie was seen as too much his own man to be made a minister.

Beattie only became minister in the dying days of the Goss Government. However, when the Goss Government fell in 1996, Labor at last turned to Beattie. There was no one else, but it seemed like a poisoned chalice.

However, within two years the incompetent Coalition government was out of office. It was not just Beattie’s campaigning abilities that won Labor office, but given the cliff-hanger results, it was his skills in gaining and keeping support from independent parliamentarians. Goss could never have exercised such persuasion and political agility as Beattie did during that difficult first term in power.

Beattie had learnt that while the Goss Government had been reformist and process and policy driven it had lost the art of good politics, alienated the public service and seemed distant from the electorate.

In office, Beattie again and again was able to engineer revival when faced different crises such as allegations of vote rigging by some Labor members, the overseas doctors’ scandal, and the recent water issue. Beattie took charge of each situation and exploited every opportunity.

The results are there for all to see. Landslide majorities for Labor in the 2001, 2004 and 2006 state elections.

Advertisement

But there have been costs.

Beattie’s premiership, in keeping with his personality and immense abilities was the most presidential in Australia. Beattie was involved in every issue, dominated press releases across all portfolios and sought every photo opportunity. Ministers just drew the curtains for the real star, Beattie, to perform. Why, even recently, amid the local government amalgamation crisis, Beattie put out a press release about the government’s euthanasia policy on cats and dogs! Why bother? It is because Beattie believes no one else can do it as well and like all great performers he needs and feeds on constant applause.

The result is a lopsided government, of overcentralised control and of top down decision making. This was most vividly shown when in relation to local government amalgamation crisis Beattie threatened to sack those local governments wanting to have a referendum on this issue. But as with so many Beattie initiatives the policy had to be reversed.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

4 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Dr Scott Prasser has worked on senior policy and research roles in federal and state governments. His recent publications include:Royal Commissions and Public Inquiries in Australia (2021); The Whitlam Era with David Clune (2022) and the edited New directions in royal commission and public inquiries: Do we need them?. His forthcoming publication is The Art of Opposition reviewing oppositions across Australia and internationally. .


Other articles by this Author

All articles by Scott Prasser

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Scott Prasser
Article Tools
Comment 4 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy