Happy with the Opposition

On at least two occasions, pre-health crisis, I've heard Premier Beattie say something along the lines of "Well, as far as we're concerned, we're very happy with the Opposition".

We're happy, in other words, to have crap competition: an Opposition that should probably get used to the idea of being an Opposition.

We all know about the challenges that Team Beattie has faced during recent times. Very heavy criticism has come from around the entire country. The health system of this state remains a mess, and a lot of work is still needed. Some pretty disconcerting things have been revealed over the past year or so.

And, although some would argue me on this point, the Beattie Government remains all-but-unbeatable. Yep, approval ratings dropped for a while there. Newspapers were filled with pictures of frowning Petes. Talk-back radio stations received non-stop calls from Beattie-bashers. And yet! Mr. Springborg, in true Beazley-esque fashion, never came across as a genuine alternative for leader. He called for resignations, inquiries, investigations, revolts, the lot. And did he at any point allow us to imagine him sitting on the Speaker's right? Well, for me, it's a big fat NOPE.

Now, Springborg and Quinn - in somewhat comical fashion - have embarrassed themselves in front of the nation. Honestly, I could have put money on it. That whole "New Liberals" thing was doomed from the start - our omnipotent Prime Minister was opposed to it. It's difficult not to giggle, thinking about the grinning Lawrence and Bob, giving vague answers to questions that required detailed answers. They were confident. They were united. Hehe...for a couple of days, yeah.

I admit that the love affair between Beattie and the public/media is probably over. He looks a little tired, a little worn. He has lots of work to do yet. But defeat at the next election is almost impossible to fathom. He'll be Premier as long as he wants to. Reminds me of a certain John...

I reckon Beattie is a good guy. (A little more leftiness would be nice, but, this is sadly a big ask for most Labor politicians these days.) I like him, though I can't say the same for his cabinet members, some of whom are really not switched-on. And we should remember that this government was not the cause of the health mess. They were certainly not doing enough about it and made a lot of mistakes. But this was a problem - out of public view - during Queensland's previous governments. There's really no way to doubt that.

Though I've not heard him say it lately, I'm sure Peter Beattie remains happy with the Opposition.

Premier Springborg... Hmmm, sort of like an oxymoron, wouldn't you say?