Beattie - Brisbane should be nation's capital ...

... because of its access to water.

Did he really say that?

Excerpt from Sydney Morning Herald:

"Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said if Australia was settled now, Brisbane would probably be the capital because of its closeness to Asia and access to water."

See - Beattie - let's see how far I can stretch reality.

If access to water is the main factor, Perth - with its desalination plant and sensible forethought on at least some water issues - should be the frontrunner for the nation's capital.

Brisbane, at the hands of Beattie and Bligh, would be down at the tail end of the contenders ...