Beattie's comments follow reports last week that the Commonwealth was getting ready to seize control of ports along the eastern seaboard.

"This latest ploy by the Howard Government to try and scrape over the election line would be disastrous for ports around the country and for Queensland exports," he said.

Beattie said the Queensland Government was investing more than $2.9 billion in ports and coal rail infrastructure, while the private sector was investing a further $1.5 billion.

"The only people not spending money on coal infrastructure in Queensland are John Howard and Peter Costello," Beattie said.

But Howard responded to Beattie's claims, saying that his stance had remained unchanged regarding the Commonwealth–state agreement regarding the nation's ports.

"The Commonwealth has reserved the right all along to legislate for a single regulator if the cooperative approach with the states did not deliver better outcomes. That remains our position," Howard said.