 Book
Reviews
with Robin Osborne
Making a Difference
By Peter Beattie
Harper Collins $29.95
 Rather
than the bland Making a Difference ('Reflections on life, leadership and politics')
the autobiography-so-far of Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, might better have
been titled 'Having a Go', as this admirable sentiment lies at the heart of the
book and appears to have driven his life.
One of six children from a family shattered by their mother's early death,
Beattie was sent from Sydney, to where they had moved from the NSW countryside,
to Atherton in far north Queensland where his gran and her husband, struggling
pensioners, accepted the challenge of raising a seven year old.
While Spartan his life was filled with positive experiences in study, sport
and theatrical productions, and he took every opportunity to give things a go.
'Three powerful words: have a go. If it was possible then in little Atherton,
then it has to be possible throughout our society today. We should make it possible.
You encourage kids to have a go...'
Despite Atherton not being the 'Paris of the North', young Peter gave his utmost,
showing the enthusiasm that makes him such an appealing figure in a generally
bleak political landscape. If one theme runs through the book it is the benefit
of education. After excelling at school he won a scholarship to study Arts/Law
in Brisbane, becoming the first member of his family to embark on tertiary studies.
This experience would include meeting his later wife, Heather, now an acclaimed
academic nurse, getting a taste of politics, being arrested in an anti-Springbok
demonstration and 'verballed' by police, and sporting a particularly bad haircut
and whiskers, photos of which he has had the courage to include.
His dream of making Queensland the 'Smart State' through linkages between academia,
industry and government has helped it escape the malaise of the Bjelke-Petersen
era and seen Brisbane re-born.
Political minutiae cram the middle chapters but provide few revelations - Beattie
is forgiving towards his adversaries. As for the trivia, he's confessedly overweight,
walks the dog every morning, drinks a little red wine, is interested in history,
yearns for the Greek islands and likes Bill Clinton.
In the end, his appeal lies in his decency and the fact that he has succeeded
without crawling over corpses: 'If you're looking for peace... you've got to find
it in yourself... You can go out and achieve your best by being positive, constructive
and working with people without trying to destroy others along the way, without
being angry. That is my personal philosophy.'
- Peter Beattie will be appearing at the Byron Bay Writers Festival, August
4-7. For tickets and information phone 6685 6262.
- Books available at Book Warehouse, Keen Street, Lismore
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