Former QLD premier Peter Beattie has a bad case of 'relevance deprivation' His profile is so big it could block out some of Kevin Rudd's sunshine... Pic: Richard Webb Source: News Limited IS Queensland big enough to have both Peter Beattie and Kevin Rudd rattling around it this federal election campaign? Accommodate two political egos that are among the biggest the state has produced might be difficulty but it could be a big help to the ALP. Already the former premier's decision to stand for the marginal Liberal seat of Ford outside Brisbane, six years after leaving politics, has boosted party morale. Peter Beattie, 60, hasn't been in a losing election side since 1996 and led the state undefeated from 1998-2007. The buzz through Labor today is he believes he can keep that record of victories unsullied after joining the federal campaign. He won't be confined to Forde. Peter Beattie us such a big name in his state he will be used by Labor to campaign elsewhere, possible in the seats of Herbert and Flynn where the party needs reinforcements. Mr Beattie knows his state well and as a former premier he would be reading the damage being caused to the federal Coalition by the government of LNP Premier Campbell Newman - both his spending cuts and the comic cuts from some LNP MPs. Queensland is ready to step back a little from the broad rush to Tony Abbott, and Peter Beattie would enjoy being part of that contrarian vote. However, the notion he would again be in a winning side is flimsy. His comeback clearly is based on something like Gareth Evans' "relevance deprivation." He has been offering advice to the party from the sidelines for the past six years and wants to have his say in its internal forums. And after the election, whether Labor wins or loses, Mr Beattie would be interested in a front bench position. Whether Kevin Rudd, as Prime Minister or Opposition Leader, could find that space, is not obvious at the moment, if not downright unlikely. Meanwhile the Coalition has had its say through Victorian back bencher Kelly O'Dwyer: "It just goes to show that Labor with their recycling of these former premiers - whether it's Peter Beattie in Queensland, whether it's Bob Carr in NSW - they have no new ideas for this country." She might have first consulted former Liberal NSW Premier and former federal Finance Minister John Fahey on that. Follow Mal on Twitter: @Farrm51 Follow Mal on Tout: farrm51