A premier paperback hero

You’ve seen him on television, often!
Heard him on radio… and you’ve read about him in the papers….
Now catch a glimpse of arguably the funniest man in Australian politics today - Queensland’s Premier Peter Beattie.
Cabinet Minister, former federal politician, philosopher and author, Dean Wells, has compiled a side-splitting collection of hilarious eyewitness anecdotes involving the Queensland Premier.
Dean Wells - author of the best-selling The Wit of Whitlam, the hilarious Tom Burns – What a Joke and Laugh With Ludwig - now brings you Beattie’s Bon Mots.
Catch a glimpse of the real Peter Beattie. Dean Wells - regarded by insiders as the Max Walker of politics - takes you behind the scenes to reveal Peter Beattie as you’ve never seen him before.
Here’s just a sample of what lies between the covers………

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During the first Cabinet meeting of his government in July 1998, one Minister was making an overlong presentation of a submission when Deputy Premier, Jim Elder, interjected: “I'd like to get out of here by the weekend.”
Beattie, not even looking up in his role as chairman, waited a few delicious seconds and then said: “You and me both.”

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Community Cabinet meetings are a chance to get out and meet the real Queenslanders. At one such meeting in Mt Isa in October 1998, a local resident approached the Premier saying: “You’re Peter Beattie aren’t you?”
Somehow Beattie managed to keep a straight face as the retort came back quick as lightning: “I would be less than honest with you if I said I wasn't!”

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The Premier sometimes takes time out to buy sandwiches from local snack bars in George Street – just like any other inner-city worker.
On one occasion the attendant asked him: “What can I get for you?”
Beattie didn't miss a beat, quickly ad-libbing: “Madam, what I want to eat and what I should eat are two different things entirely.”

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In early 1999, the premier was guest speaker at a Labor Party fundraiser on the Gold Coast. The master of ceremonies introduced him and, as the applause died down, quick as a flash Beattie quipped: “Good evening.”

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I once had to meet up with the Premier in the foyer of Parliament House to accompany him to an awards function starting at 8pm. We both arrived at the same time. As we moved off to the function room I asked him: “What time is it?”
Quick as a flash, Beattie quipped: “Just on eight.”

Published by Brisk Working Lunch Publications*, Beattie’s Bon Mots makes the perfect Christmas gift.
Order your copy now from all good book stores.

*ethics requires us to advise that Brisk Working Lunch Publications is an associated corporate venture of Hyphen Media, Bugland Newspapers Pty Ltd, The Bug Newspaper and Nudes Limited.