"The question obviously is: why did Mr Rudd, in his mantra of co-operative federalism, not convince Mr Beattie to step back from the arbitrary nastiness which has personified decisions such as the Traveston Dam and Council Amalgamations?

"In the Labor regime, which has usurped the rights of the individual in Queensland, why could not the Queensland Labor Prime Ministerial aspirant and his Queensland Labor Shadow Treasurer not be able to make a mark on the Queensland Labor Party?

"I believe Queensland Labor knows Mr Rudd; they believe he is weak and they are a little angry that they think he has ended up in a position way beyond his managerial talent.

"I believe they never thought Mr Rudd would get this close to Mr Howard and are concerned, in this new spirit of détente, they may be about to venture into joint releases and bi-partisan press conferences. What is obvious: Queensland Labor does not respect Queensland Labor's Mr Rudd and they know him better than any of us."