Labor moved into Brisbane's Executive Building after the January election. Credit:Harrison Saragossi Congratulations upon entry back into the Executive Position. Enjoy screwing up Queensland's economy! This great state will not be fooled by your farcical governing. Whilst you may be laughing at present, you will be turfed in 2018. Your leader is gutless and scheming. You rely on the least educated to get support.

A letter left for the incoming Labor government at the Executive Building after the January election. Enjoy, and remember – Queenslanders preferred a strong, stable government like the LNP. Unfortunately your dirty lies tricked people into preferential voting! Best of luck, Anonymous There is no suggestion the anonymous note-writer was representative of former LNP government staff.

In fact, Fairfax Media understands some departing LNP staffers left their successors sincere well wishes, including notes, bottles of wine and other well-meaning gifts. There is a long tradition of notes, gifts, pranks or other surprises being left behind in political offices for those from the other side to find, although they have not always been so snarky. In previous government changeovers in Queensland, staff found computer mice tied together, while, more recently, incoming staff were confronted with drawer keys locked in drawers. It was not always so confrontational. Upon his resignation as Australian prime minister in August 1941, Liberal Party founder Robert Menzies wrote the following letter to Labor opposition leader, and future PM, John Curtin:

My dear John, I've ceased to be Prime Minister and we shall therefore no longer be opposite numbers at the table. I want to thank you for two years and four months in which my task, always difficult, has frequently been rendered easier and at times rendered more tolerable by your magnanimous and understanding attitude. Your political opposition has been honourable and your personal friendship a pearl of great price. Yours sincerely, Bob.

Mr Curtin wrote a handwritten reply: Dear Bob, Thank you for your letter. I appreciate it more than I can say. On my part I thank you wholeheartedly for the consideration & courtesy which never once failed in your dealings with me. I wish you good health & fair going. Your personal friendship is something I value, as I hope and know you do, as a very precious thing. Yrs faithfully (sic) John Curtin

In the United States, presidents traditionally leave notes on the Oval Office desk for their successors, offering their reflections, advice and well wishes. But it has not been all rosy in Washington. Perhaps the most infamous were claims, subject to a General Accounting Office investigation, that Clinton Democrats removed the "W" from keyboards for the incoming Republican administration of incoming President George W Bush.