THE political ghost of former premier Peter Beattie has emerged on the streets of Cairns in the guise of election signs promoting MP Desley Boyle.

And just as spookily, Ms Boyle appears with different looks throughout the streets of the city as she supports both the former premier and his successor Anna Bligh.

But a slip from Ms Boyle shows she is either very astute reader of the political game or knew of her boss' intention to call the election on Monday.

Ms Boyle laughed off the error of her team placing signs that read "Peter Beattie's Team", saying they were a hangover from the previous election that were being recycled by having an "Anna Bligh's Labor Team" sticker placed over the tag-line.

She said before the election was called she and her team had discussed whether to paint new images on her mobile office and whether to use the old signs.

Ms Boyle said she had needed more signs and that was why most appeared with her having a different hairstyle.

"This is the same Desley, the hairstyle may change from time to time but it is the same person underneath," Ms Boyle said.

The veteran MP, who is facing a battle to retain her seat against the LNP's Joel Harrop, said the move to reuse signs showed her environmental and economic credentials.

"In these frugal times it was too big an expense to update the van just because of a change of hairstyle,’’ she said. Ms Boyle said she had received a call about a "Beattie’’ sign.

"It is interesting that people looked closely enough that they noticed. It certainly shows people notice but if it changes how people vote, I don't know,’’ she said.

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