Career
Poole was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland as member for the Gold Coast based seat of Gaven at the Beattie Labor Government"s landslide 2001 state election victory. Poole was returned at the 2004 state election with a smaller margin. Additionally, it was revealed that the Member of Parliament would take up to three months off to have a knee reconstruction in Thailand.
Poole and Beattie, his party leader, drew strong criticism for this decision.
On 25 February, Beattie ordered Poole to return from his latest trip by early April or a by-election would be called in Gaven. Poole subsequently withdrew his candidacy for the seat at the next state election.
Robert Poole resigned as the Member for Gaven on 28 February 2006, blaming his health and the constant media attention for his resignation.
