Qld: Beattie praises predecessor on anniversary

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2009
Qld: Beattie praises predecessor on anniversary

By Paul Osborne

BRISBANE, Dec 1 AAP - Former Queensland premier Wayne Goss set a new tone for honesty
in politics, says his successor Peter Beattie.

Wednesday marks the 20th anniversary of the election of the Goss Labor government,
which came after 32 years of conservative party rule in the Sunshine State, mostly under
Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

The Labor win came in the wake of the Fitzgerald inquiry which exposed decades of corruption
in government and the police service.

The ALP will celebrate on Wednesday night with a lavish dinner at Brisbane's convention centre.

Mr Beattie, now the state's trade commissioner to the Americas, told AAP Mr Goss restored
Labor's credibility after decades of factional rivalry and disorganisation.

"He demonstrated what an honest, decent leader could do," Mr Beattie said.

"I think the fact he went and implemented the Fitzgerald reforms, he set a new tone
of honesty in Queensland politics.

"He started the modern Labor party."

Mr Beattie, who was effectively exiled to the backbench during most of the Goss era,
said Mr Goss deserved a celebration.

"Wayne Goss is a Labor icon and I didn't always agree with him but he is someone I
have enormous respect for," Mr Beattie said.

AAP pjo/dep

KEYWORD: GOSS

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