Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has distanced himself from the Bligh government during a candidate's debate in the south Brisbane electorate of Forde.
A small business owner from Yatala drew murmurs of agreement from the 30 odd attendees when she asked why constituents should trust Mr Beattie or the Labor party with their money.
The star candidate defended his economic management and blamed the state's economic troubles on his Labor successor Anna Bligh.
"When I left office Queensland had a triple-A economy and its books were in the black," Mr Beattie told the crowd.
"The Bligh government can defend itself ... I understand people will try to blame their political predecessors.
"We managed these things well and can't be responsible for what happened after that."
Mr Beattie also fielded questions about his legacy as the state's leader and his lack of local knowledge during the debate hosted by the Logan Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.
He knocked back a suggestion he's only contesting because he hopes to become the party's federal leader.
Mr Beattie's opponent, Liberal incumbent Bert van Manen, largely avoided controversy in the debate but did spark anger from some when he said he won't push for workplace reform.
"We won't be making any changes to the fair work act if elected," Mr van Manen said.
Both candidates will meet at another debate on Friday morning hosted by the Beenleigh Chamber of Commerce.
Meanwhile, the man Beattie deposed as Labor's candidate for Forde, Des Hardman, has broken his silence to say he has no hard feelings about the decision.
The Logan-based radiographer said he was planning on helping Mr Beattie's campaign after a short break and refused to discuss how the news he was being dumped was delivered to him.
"I support the Labor Party. I'm not in the game of starting rumours and those types of conversations can lead to that," Mr Hardman told Brisbane's Quest Community Newspapers.
"At the end of the day it's important we get a Labor government elected; that's what will be best for Forde."
Mr Beattie has described Mr Hardman as a "good man" who he hoped would put his hand up for another tilt at politics in the future.
Mr Hardman says he's assessing his options and it's too early to know if he'll nominate to run in future elections.
