Labor supporters in Peter Beattie's south Queensland electorate should have no questions over who to vote for after billboards for the man he replaced were taken down.
The former Queensland premier took over as Labor's candidate last Thursday in a high-profile announcement alongside Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
But billboards featuring former candidate Des Hardman with Kevin Rudd were still up as late as Wednesday morning.
One featured prominently on one of Queensland's busiest motorways - the M1, between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Mr Beattie told reporters on Wednesday, before the signs were eventually taken down, he didn't think voters would hold the tardy response against him or Labor.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"I don't feel embarrassed about it, I wish they were gone but people know there's been a candidate change," he said.
"People are not stupid, they know it takes a few days for the signs to come down, that's life."
Mr Beattie says he's under no illusions he's behind in the race to win Forde from LNP incumbent Bert van Manen.
But after a week on the campaign trail he says he's enjoying his return to political life.
"I don't know every intricate detail (about the electorate), that's what I'm learning," said the former premier, who had until recently been living in New York.
