Bligh cops a roasting over Masterchef

(AAP) - Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has copped a grilling in parliament over her decision to compete on Celebrity MasterChef, with suggestions she make "porky pies" and "corruption cookies".

On Wednesday morning, Ms Bligh announced on the social networking site Twitter that
she would appear on the celebrity version of the hit Ten Network show.
"I'm going on MasterChef. Still finalising recipes to showcase Qld produce - what
are your ideas about Queensland's best products? Any recipe hints?," she tweeted.
Ms Bligh said she had been inundated with recipe ideas but in state parliament it
was like a roast.
Opposition MP Rob Messenger was the first to give Ms Bligh some culinary inspiration.
"Are you going to be baking corruption cookies? What about Labor mates meat rolls?"
Mr Messenger said.
In question time, Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek asked what was more
important to Ms Bligh - restoring Queensland's credit rating or "a gratuitously
political stunt".
Leader of the House Judy Spence suggested a television opportunity for the
under-pressure Mr Langbroek: "They might ask you to go on Survivor".
Ms Bligh said Queensland's agricultural sector was important to the state's future
prosperity.
All the recipe suggestions she had received from producers were welcome, she said.
"Although I would say if I used them all together it could create a culinary
disaster," Ms Bligh said.
"This is a fabulous opportunity for us to take Queensland's produce into the
kitchens of all of those Australians who love this program.
"It's an opportunity that comes without any cost to the taxpayer and I'm going to
jump at it."
Later in question time, Deputy Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg suggested Ms
Bligh's signature dish would be "more porky pies".
She will line up alongside stars including swimmer Eamon Sullivan, INXS's Kirk
Pengilly and Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch.
Ms Bligh later told reporters the jokes were inevitable, but she was taking the
competition seriously.
"The recipe that I will be using on the program is top secret," she said.
"I love cooking, whether it's just a quick stir-fry or a four hour event with my
sons where we make our own pasta.
"I don't get much of a chance but when I do, I take it."
But Mr Langbroek, who said he didn't watch the successful program, said the most apt
dish for Ms Bligh might be "media tarts" - in reference to the label used for, and
adopted by, former premier Peter Beattie.
"We have Victoria keeping its AAA credit rating and our premier goes on some sort of
stunt show flipping burgers," he told reporters.
"It's just a stunt."