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Peter Beattie Announces Resignation As Queensland Premier

Sep 10, 2007

The Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, has announced that he will retire later this week.

Beattie has been Labor Premier since June 1998, winning re-election in 2001, 2004 and 2006. He will retire as the second longest-serving Labor Premier of Queensland. William Forgan Smith served for 10 years from 1932 until 1942.

  • Listen to Beattie’s Resignation Press Conference (23m – part only):

This is the text of Peter Beattie’s resignation statement.

Peter Beattie, outgoing Labor Premier of QueenslandI indicated in late June that I would be considering my future over the next 12 months. Well I’ve done that. And it’s now time; it’s time for renewal.

And therefore I’ve indicated to my cabinet colleagues, and my caucus colleagues and my workmates that I’ll be resigning as premier as of 10am Thursday. There will be a special caucus meeting on Wednesday at 11am to elect a new leader. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Qld Tagged With: , , ,

Rann Now Longest-Serving Premier

Sep 10, 2007

Peter Beattie’s resignation as Queensland Premier will elevate South Australia’s Mike Rann to the position of longest-serving state premier. Rann was elected in March 2002.

Mike Rann, Premier of South AustraliaThe Northern Territory Chief Minister, Clare Martin, will become the longest-serving state or territory head of government, having been elected in August 2001. She just eclipses the ACT’s Jon Stanhope, elected in November 2001.

The retirements of Bob Carr (elected 1995), Steve Bracks (1999) and Beattie (1998) have resulted in the Labor governments which dominate the Australian states and territories moving to a second-generation of leaders.

Western Australian Premier Geoff Gallop (elected February 2001) resigned due to ill-health in January 2006. Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon (elected September 1998) also resigned due to ill-health in February 2004.

Rann remains the last-elected and only original member of the clutch of Labor Premiers elected between 1995 and 2002.

John Howard remains the longest-serving head of government, having been Prime Minister since March 11, 1996.

Filed Under: Qld, S.A. Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Peter Beattie To Step Down On Thursday

Sep 10, 2007

2.45pm – The Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, has announced that he will step down on Thursday.

Peter Beattie, outgoing Labor Premier of QueenslandAt a press conference in Brisbane, Beattie said he looked forward to the election of Queensland’s first female Premier, Anna Bligh.

Beattie said it was “time for renewal”.

He will leave office as Queensland’s second longest-serving Labor Premier.

Beattie was first elected in 1998, as leader of a minority government.

He won handsome re-elections in 2001 and 2004.

Statement issued by Premier Peter Beattie.

“I have given a great deal of thought to Queensland’s future since my speech to the Party Conference in June and those considerations were taken into account at last Monday’s Strategic Cabinet Meeting.

“The Government has a strategy for the future and now we need new leadership to take Queensland forward. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Qld Tagged With: , , ,

Beattie Retires; Kevin Rudd Comments On Queensland Policies

Sep 10, 2007

Following Queensland Premier Peter Beattie’s announcement that he would retire, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd commented on his decision.

  • Listen to Rudd (6m)
Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, A.L.P., Audio, Qld, Rudd Tagged With: ,
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