Politics Beattie style ...

Interesting comments on the cancellation of the SEQ poll.

Excerpt from the Gold Coast Bulletin:

Harsh world, politics

31 January 2007

Good News!

The Beattie Government has begun preparing for celebrations to mark Queensland's 150th birthday in 2009, thereby quashing all criticism that it never plans for the future.

If only they had started preparing for the state running out of water two years early.

Of course you all know by now that there will be no referendum on recycled sewage because the Premier did his own telephone survey and found 78 per cent of respondents were happy to drink toilet water.

Which is a nifty little twist on democracy.

Perhaps the Premier could do his own little ring-around before the next election is due to see if we really need one of those as well.

Most people have applauded him for taking a stand by doing away with the referendum and saving $10 million of taxpayer's money. I just think it is funny he ever called for one.

To be blunt, I think it was all a big hoax so they could pretend they were doing something.

Mr Beattie was actually asked on Friday if the plebescite was definitely going ahead and he stumbled a little, giggled and said: "I have indicated that obviously we have to take into account the will of the people."

Yes, very tricky because he actually did know at that point he was going to pull the plug.

But it was much more convenient for him to leak the news on Saturday so it could be in a Sunday newspaper.

"I was very careful about answering on Friday which is why I stopped midstream," he said when asked why he did not answer the question correctly.

Mr Beattie will use the $10 million to extend the rebate on water tanks, which is rather convenient as he has just ordered one for his own house and has to wait a couple of months for it.

See - Harsh world, politics.