Charismatic former Queensland premier Peter Beattie is back in the public spotlight - this time as the boss of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Tuesday that Mr Beattie will be appointed as chair of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) board.
Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Beattie, who served as premier from 1998 to 2007, was offered the role because of his wealth of experience, not his position as a Labor party elder statesman.
"People have often commented in the past that Peter Beattie could sell ice to Eskimos but I need him to sell the Commonwealth Games to corporate Australia," she said.
"He was the person who secured the Goodwill Games for us many years ago and I believe his experience and his attention to detail is exactly what is needed.
"His drive and enthusiasm is second to none and I am quite sure that he will be charming corporate Australia."
Mr Beattie said he wanted to use the games as a platform to encourage international tourists to visit the Gold Coast long after the event was finished.
"Whether people love me or hate me, I absolutely love this state and I want the best for it," he said.
Mr Beattie said he would be promoting the coast's natural assets, including its world-class beach and weather.
"This is a jewel and all you have to do is just show people this, we have to show this to the world."
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls criticised the appointment as "jobs for the boys".
"This is not just a government of the unions, for the unions, by union lackeys, this seems to be a government of past political ALP leaders who are getting sinecures and prime jobs," Mr Nicholls said.
"They can't even come up with new people to appoint - they're just recycling their old leaders in a clear case of payback."
Another former premier, the National's Rob Borbidge, is chair of the Embracing 2018 advisory committee, which is tasked with ensuring the sporting event delivers lasting benefits to the state.
Mr Beattie said in 2010 he had had enough of public life, announcing his retirement as Queensland's Trade Commissioner to the Americas.
But he returned to politics in 2013 in a failed attempt to contest the federal seat of Forde.
Mr Beattie will be joined on the GOLDOC board by former Gold Coast Publications editor-in-chief Bob Gordon.
The games, to be held from April 4 to 15, 2018, will feature 6600 athletes and officials from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories.
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