Peter Beattie with his wife at his home in Wilston, in Brisbane's inner north, this morning.

Peter Beattie with his wife at his home in Wilston, in Brisbane's
inner north, this morning.

Queensland's most famous salesman has "faith" his anointed successor will carry the ALP to victory at the next state election.

Former state premier Peter Beattie reiterated his support for Anna Bligh as he announced his retirement as Queensland's Trade and Investment Commissioner for the Americas.

However, he reserved his greatest praise for Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Mr Beattie, who led the state from 1998 to 2007, is leaving the job one year before his three-year contract expires.

At the time he was appointed to the position, based in Los Angeles, Ms Bligh said he could "sell ice to Eskimos".

With a treasure chest boasting $462 million of trade and investment earned in the past financial year, Mr Beattie said he had exceeded this expectation.

"That's a lot of ice to a lot of Eskimos," he said outside his Brisbane home today.

Mr Beattie said he had no intentions to return to public life, but did not rule out taking up a plum private sector job.

"Once you go and you leave the scene, you leave the scene," he said.

"I'm not interested in public life. I've got the scars and bruises of outrageous fortune to prove that those years [are] well behind us.

"There would be a state funeral if I went back to that."

His wife Heather confirmed: "There will be no comeback tour."

Nor will there be any Beattie political dynasty, with Heather ruling out any tilt for the role of Brisbane Lord Mayor.

"I'm grateful for the opportunities we had, but our time has passed," she said.

Mr Beattie declined to comment on the state of the ALP in Queensland, only to say he had faith in the current party leader.

"Anna Bligh is a tough individual and I have faith in her," Mr Beattie said.

"It's tough being a leader in the middle of the global financial crisis and even though we're coming out of it, it's bumpy.

"It doesn't matter whether you're Kevin Rudd, or Anna Bligh, or President Obama.

"It's about as ugly a time as ever to be in politics."

Mr Beattie then went on to heap praise on the Deputy PM.

"Julia Gillard is one of the most talented people in Australian politics, full stop," he said.

"She would be a great Prime Minister if that ever happens."

Mr Beattie can now enter the private sector having served two years in an academic posting, upon the advice of Queensland's independent Integrity Commissioner.

"Two years was the time and I've been retired two years and eight months," he said.

"I'm not going to say to you that we haven't received offers.

"Of course we have, but now it's appropriate for us to seriously think about those and we will.

"Heather and I will spend time both in the US and in Australia. We've got a lot of friends both in the US and here."