QUEENSLAND`S former premier and confessed "media-tart" Peter Beattie would not be as free to talk to journalists in his new job as the state`s US trade commissioner, his successor said today.
While stopping short of saying she had gagged Mr Beattie, Premier Anna Bligh today said he would have to follow “protocol” when speaking to the media.
“In accepting the position of trade commissioner he is taking on the role of a public servant and will have the same obligations as any other public servants,” Ms Bligh said in Brisbane.
“There will be opportunities which I expect him to take where he will be able to promote Queensland and talk to the media.”
But asked if her old boss would have to check with her first Ms Bligh replied: “He will be under the same requirements as any other public servant in relation to his job.
“He`s also a former premier and from time to time will be interviewed in that regard which will have nothing to do with his ... different hat.”
Mr Beattie starts his $300,000-a-year job, based in Los Angeles, in June after lecturing at the University of South Carolina for the past few months.
He has a cottage in the mountains near Brevard, north Carolina.
Mr Beattie is due to return to Brisbane on Wednesday for a trade commissioners function.
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