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Public servant Clyde Gilmour was a long serving Director General of Education (1976-83) during the Bjelke-Petersen era and during this time was involved in the restructuring of technical training in Queensland.

Academic Colin Hughes discusses the development of political science as a discipline as well as providing insights into Queensland politics and his involvement with EARC.

National Party member Craig Sherrin talks about a career in politics and the public service which spans the Bjelke-Petersen and Bligh governments. He focuses on his passion for education both in and out of government, and provides insights into political campaigning in Queensland during the 1980s.

Trade Unionist Darryl Noack was the North Queensland District Secretary of the Australian Workers Union (AWU) from 2008. He was an elected shop steward of the Federated Ironworkers Association from 1973-79, before serving as a delegate in 1979. He then moved to the Australian Workers Union where he served first as a representative in North Queensland in 1988, before his appointment as a full time AWU organiser in 1993. He reflects on industrial conflict, Indigenous participation and the changing nature of unionism.

David Hamill was the Labor MLA for Ipswich from 1983 to 2001 and held a number of ministerial positions including Queensland Treasurer, Minister for Education, Minister for Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Economics and Trade.

David Russell QC was the Queensland State President (1995-99) and Federal President (2005-06) of the National Party and a key player in the formation of the Queensland LNP. In this interview he discusses his work on party reforms and his role as a power broker within the National Party.

David Watson was leader of the Liberal Party, Minister of Public Works and Housing during the Borbidge era and was the Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Communications and Information.

Public servant David Williams was CEO of the government-owned Queensland Events Corporation and at other times Director General of departments responsible for tourism, sport, racing, gaming, liquor licensing and fair trading from 1989 to the early 2000s. Here he reflects on the development of Queensland’s events and tourism industries under different governments and during a period of increasing government marketing and corporatisation.

Labor politician Desley Boyle discusses her career that began in 1988 as a Councillor on the Cairns City Council before moving into state politics. She ended her ministerial career in 2011 as Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and stepped down from her parliamentary seat in 2012. She discusses the challenges she faced in each of her portfolios, and focuses on her passion for the environment and good planning.

Diane Fingleton served as Chief Magistrate of the Queensland Magistrates Court from 1999-2003, though her time in the position was surrounded by controversy. Her career spans a range of legal and policy-related roles and she discusses the workings of politics and justice in Queensland.

Union official and academic Diane Zetlin has worked in an academic capacity at the University of Queensland since 1976. She became involved with the Federated Australian University Staff Association (FAUSA) as President, and was involved in the amalgamation of unions to form the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), of which she later became General Secretary. Her career has spanned radical changes in political and social attitudes, and she discusses changing conditions for tertiary workers and the role of women in trade unions.

Long time public servant Erik Finger reflects on a career which began as an engineer in the Main Roads Department in 1961, and ended as the Head of the Premier's Department in 1994. He focuses particularly on the 1989 transition from long-term conservative government to new, reformist Labor government, and the changes wrought to the public service.

Errol Hodder joined the Australian Workers Union (AWU) in 1955 while working in the shearing industry in western Queensland. He worked his way up becoming Queensland Branch Secretary (1982-88) and Federal AWU Secretary (1988-91). He went on to serve on the Queensland and Australian Industrial Relations Commission (1991-2003) and played an active role in the ALP following the 1980 National Executive intervention into the Queensland Branch and leading to the return of the ALP to government in Queensland in 1989.

Public servant Frank Peach reflects on his diverse career as Director General of several departments including Education, Corrective Services and Families. He comments on the role of government and the public service in developing and implementing  policy, highlighting the frustrations incurred due to a persistent tension between limited resources and increasing demand for social services.

Labor Party politician Geoff Smith served as a minister during the Goss Government. He held a range of portfolios, including Manufacturing, Commerce, Regional Development and Lands. During his time as Lands Minister the department implemented the Land Rights Act.

George Britten was a Plumbers Union delegate across various workplaces in Mount Isa, Townsville and Brisbane from 1950 until the mid-1980s. He was a member of the Communist Party of Australia. He reflects on the changing nature of unionism in Queensland and his involvement in industrial campaigns including the Springboks tour of 1971, the Plumbers Union campaign for the 38 hour week in 1982 and the strike calling for the Federal Award to apply in Queensland from 1976-79.

ALP member Greg Moran worked as an ALP State Organiser (1984-91) before taking up positions advising the Brisbane Lord Mayor, Jim Soorley (1991-92) and as Policy Advisor to Ministers during the Goss Government (1992-95). He is an ALP activist, very involved in party and factional activities. He discusses the 1980 federal intervention in the Queensland ALP.

Harry Hauenschild's (1933-2011) career spanned several fields – unionism, the Labor Party and the TAFE sector. He discusses the federal intervention in the Queensland Labor Party, the relationship between the state and commonwealth and the implementation of competency based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Howard Guille was the Queensland State Secretary for the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) from 1993 to 2006 and was involved in the 1993 amalgamation of  academic unions which formed the NTEU. During his union career he was involved in enterprise bargaining, the Indigenous Stolen Wages Campaign and the Papua New Guinea National Minimum Wage Case.

Ian Brusasco joined the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in about 1960, representing it as an Alderman on the Brisbane City Council for 14 years. He subsequently guided the ALP Inner Executive in turning around the fortunes of their radio station 4KQ, and management of the ALP's finances. In this interview he speaks about those years and about his continued influence after the 1980 intervention by the National Executive into the affairs on the Queensland Branch of the ALP.

Ian McLean served as President of the Queensland branch of Labor Party  from 1984 to 1994. He reflects on the 1980 federal intervention in the Queensland branch of the Labor Party.

Trade Unionist Jack Hutton, as a delegate for the Boilermakers and Blacksmiths Union (later the Amalgamated Metal Workers Union) from 1951-91, was the longest serving Trades and Labour Council member in Australia. He reflects on his many years of union involvement, from the railways in Townsville to the Burdekin Bridge, and recalls the events and personalities which shaped his career.

Unionist Janice Mayes was the President of the Federated Clerks Union, later the Australian Services Union, from 1990, and member of the union's national executive until 2006. As a union official, Mayes has worked on various industrial campaigns including workplace bullying, unpaid overtime, privitisation, and issues relating to women.

Labor politician Jim Elder entered parliament in 1989 and served as a minister in the Goss Government. He became Deputy Premier when the Labor Party returned to power in 1998.

Jim Soorley served as popularly elected Labor Lord Mayor of the Brisbane City Council from 1991-2003. He reflects on how his Council introduced the City Cat ferries on the Brisbane River, expanded the city's busway network and reformed the superannuation entitlements of BCC Councillors and staff.

Public servant Jim Varghese was the Director General of Main Roads, Employment and Training, Education and Primary Industries and Fisheries and was involved in developing and implementing policy reforms during the Borbidge, Goss and Beattie eras. He discusses several key policy reforms in each of these portfolios and outlines some of his strategies for change management.

Liberal Party politician Joan Sheldon was leader of the Liberal Party in Queensland from 1991-98. In the Borbidge Government 1996-98 she was Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for the Arts. She reflects on her work as Treasurer and commitment to social equality.

Unionist John Battams was the General Secretary of the Queensland Teachers Union for 21 years, from 1990-2011. A member of the QTU since 1976, he has been part of and witnessed many changes within the QTU and the teaching sector including the transformation of the QTU from a conservative, letter-writing organisation to a dynamic union. John Battams has been President of the Queensland Council of Unions since 2009.

John Hay was the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Queensland (1996-2007) during a time of rationalisation in the higher education sector and increasing university engagement with the state government. During this period a number of world-class research institutes were built in Queensland, with funding from The Atlantic Philanthropies, Queensland Government Smart State monies and the Australian Government.

Labor Party politician John Mickel served as minister for seven portfolios in five years (2004-09) under Premiers Beattie and Bligh, before his appointment to the role of Speaker (2009-12). In this interview John Mickel reflects on his political career.  He discusses his time as a political advisor as well as his parliamentary career.

Public servant John Sosso served in the Queensland departments of Consumer Affairs, Justice and Emergency Services and was Deputy Director General in the Premier’s Department until removed in 1998 by the incoming Beattie government. He reflects on his involvement in the Fitzgerald Inquiry, public sector reform and the ‘hit list’ controversy. He discusses his experiences with the Goss and Borbidge governments, including his participation in censorship reform and the PSMC.

John Strano was a senior member of the Queensland public service with a firm belief in the community benefits from private investment. He was a leading figure in attracting private capital to the state during the Beattie Government era.

Keith De Lacy was Queensland Minister for Regional Development 1989-90 and Queensland Treasurer 1989-96 in the Goss Government, after having served in Opposition and working in a wide range of careers before entering politics. He reflects on his time as Queensland Treasurer and the reasons why people become involved in politics. He discusses the political landscapes he has come to understand, changes during and since his time as a politician, as well as his priorities since leaving state politics.

Ken Smith worked in the Queensland public service over the twenty-year period of intense professionalisation – starting in the Goss years, dismissed in the Borbidge years, and returning to serve Beattie and Bligh. His key contributions have been in delivering better family services and stimulating different policy perspectives in education.

Trade Unionist Kevin Carroll has been a member of the Building Workers Industrial Union (amalgamated into the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union in 1991) since 1965, and has held prominent roles within both the BWIU and the Trades and Labor Council. He discusses his career within the building and construction industry, and highlights some of the key challenges facing the union movement.

National Party member Lawrence Springborg entered parliament in 1989, he served in the Borbidge Government 1996-98 and played an integral role in the creation of the Liberal National Party.

Public servant Leigh Tabrett discusses her career working in the Department of Education and then Arts Queensland during the 1990s and 2000s. She focuses on the reform of the state's education system, particularly higher education, as well as the re-invigoration of the Brisbane cultural precinct and the importance of arts and culture to the community.

Public servant Leo Hielscher reflect on his long career in the Treasury Department and in the Queensland Treasury Corporation, serving fifteen different treasurers.

Lesley Clark was a Councillor in the Mulgrave Shire before running for the Queensland state parliament. She represented the electorate of Barron River from 1989 to 1995 and then again from 1998 to 2006. She has a particular interest in environmental, social welfare and women's issues.

Public servant Linda Apelt was Director General of the Department of Housing (1998-2004), Disability Services Queensland (2004-09) and Department of Communities (2009-12) one of the Bligh Government’s ‘Super Departments’. In this interview she describes the changing relationships between the public service and ministers, and the role of director general.

Llew Edwards was leader of the Queensland Liberal Party and Deputy Premier in the Bjelke-Petersen Government (1978-83), Queensland Treasurer (1978-83), Queensland Minister for Health (1974-78) before retiring in 1983. He was appointed the Executive Chair of the World Expo '88 Committee.

Public servant Mal Grierson served as Director General of Public Works from the Goss Government through to 2011 and throughout his career played a significant role in the development of the Information and Communications Technology sector in Queensland.

Labor politician Manfred Cross represented the seat of Brisbane in the federal parliament from 1961-75, and again from 1980-90. He was associated with the federal intervention into the Queensland Labor Party in 1980.

National Party member Martin Tenni was elected to state parliament in 1974 and served in the governments of Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Mike Ahern and Russell Cooper, and was Minister for Mines and Energy 1987-89 until he retired in 1989.

Mary Kelly was President of the Queensland Teachers Union (QTU) from 1986 until 1994. Only the second woman to ever lead the QTU, and the first to do so full-time, she had been a longstanding executive member of the union. In both of these capacities, she worked to improve conditions for all involved in education, but for women teachers and students particularly. She was the Vice-President of the Australian Education Union, an active member of the Working Woman's Charter Committee, and one of the first women executive members of the Trades and Labor Council.

Labor politician Matt Foley was the member for Yeerongpilly from 1989 to 2004. During this period he was Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Relations (1992-95), Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Industrial Relations and the Arts (1995-96), Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and the Arts (1998-2001), Minister for Employment, Training and Youth and the Arts (2001-04).

Queensland Trade Unionist Michael Weise has been a member of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) in the Mining and Energy division since 1989. He discusses his career within the union, as well as significant CFMEU campaigns and efforts such as the re-unionisation of the Pilbara mining region in Western Australia and the Let's Spread it Around campaign.

In 1987 Mike Ahern successfully challenged Joh Bjelke-Petersen to become leader of the National Party and Premier of Queensland. He reflects on the reforms following the Fitzgerald Inquiry into corruption, the role of parliamentary committees and the impact of technology on state development.

Molly Robson, Labor politican and Environment Minister 1992-95, discusses the growth of the environmental movement in Queensland, the role of the Goss Government in implementing the reforms of the Fitzgerald Inquiry and provides insights into the relationships between the government, the public service and various interest groups.

Labor Party activist Nic Bos was a member of the Old Guard of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) during the years leading to the National Executive’s 1980 intervention. Associated with the ETU, he held many ALP roles including State President of Young Labor, State ALP Organiser, and State Secretary from 1978.

Norma Jones has been a stalwart of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) since she joined in 1970. At that time Norma lived in Toowoomba, where she was very active, holding many positions in her branch and representing Toowoomba South and the Darling Downs on State Council and State Conferences. During the years leading to the 1980 federal intervention in the ALP, the Toowoomba Branches were in turmoil which led to their closure by the (then) Inner Executive of the ALP. At this time, Norma Jones was central to the movement for reform of the party and is now a Life Member, having continued her involvement and serving as a member of the National ALP Executive and Party Organiser. 

Academic Pat Weller discusses his involvement with Queensland politics from the late 1980s until 2009, particularly the period in which Labor returned to government after a 32 year absence, providing insight into the internal workings of the party, and on his involvement with the Corrective Services Commission.

Public servant Paul Fennelly was Queensland's Coordinator General (2002-05) and Director General of the Department of State Development (2002-06) during the Beattie Government period. In this time he helped implement elements of the government's Smart State strategy and oversaw several major projects of economic significance.

Paul Reynolds is a widely-published academic and political commentator on national and state politics with a career spanning over 30 years.

Scientist Professor Peter Andrews AO reflects on his appointment by Peter Beattie as Queensland's first Chief Scientist from 2003-10. In particular he focuses on his role in supporting the Beattie Government's Smart State strategy.

Labor politician Peter Beattie discusses his career in politics, beginning as Labor Party Secretary, and ending with an almost decade-long stint as Queensland Premier, 1998-2007. He focuses on his agenda to modernise and reform Queensland's government and economy through the Smart State policy and a committment to equal opportunity initiatives.

Peter Henneken discusses his experience of working in the Queensland public service from the Bjelke-Petersen era to the Beattie era. He comments on the industrial relations and training policy and explores the approaches of various government to managing the public service.

Queensland Independent MP Peter Wellington reflects on his time on the cross benches in Queensland. He focuses on the 1998 State election and the formation of the minority Beattie government. He emphasises the importance of community connections as the driving force behind his political career.

Public servant Rachel Hunter discusses her career as the Public Service Commissioner from the early 2000s, and ending as the Director General of the Department of Justice and Attorney General in 2010. She focuses on the importance of education and links to the Beattie Government's Smart State initiative.

National Party politician Rob Borbidge discusses his rise through the party, his experiences of the Bjelke-Petersen and Goss Government eras and his time as the Premier of Queensland, 1996-98. He delves into Queensland's political culture and the One Nation Party.

Public servant Rob Stable was Director General of Health 1996-2004 in the Queensland public service following a career as a doctor and hospital manager. He worked with health ministers Peter Beattie, Rob Borbidge, Mike Horan and Wendy Edmond.

Labor Party member and ministerial staffer Rob Whiddon was a central figure in pursuing the reform of the Queensland branch of the Labor Party and later served as Premier Peter Beattie's Chief of Staff. In this capacity he was involved with the implementation of the Smart State agenda.

Public servant Robin Sullivan discusses her career including her work as the Director General of the Department of Child Safety. She reflects on her time as the Children and Young People's Commissioner and discusses her experiences of gender inequality as well as her professional commitment to social justice.

Labor Party politician Rod Welford served in a number of ministries in successive Beattie Governments including Environment, Attorney General as well as Education, Training and the Arts.

Ross Rolfe was Director General of three Queensland departments, Environment and Heritage 1996, 1998, State Development 1998-2002, and Premier and Cabinet 2005-07, working on state infrastructure and with Premier Peter Beattie on many of the Smart State initiatives, the water policy and the Cyclone Larry recovery plan.

National Party politician Russell Cooper was Queensland Premier for 73 days in 1989 after successfully challenging Mike Ahern. As Minister for Corrective Services he brought about sweeping changes to prisons and oversaw gun reform.

Ruth Matchett was Director General of the Queensland Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs 1990-95, during a time of unprecedented legislative change in that policy area, including child protection, domestic violence, disability services, ageing and land rights.

Sallyanne Atkinson served as a popularly elected Liberal Lord Mayor of the Brisbane City Council, 1985-91. She reflects on her time at the Council, particularly the relationship between the Brisbane City Council and the State government. During her time in office she presided over Expo 88 and sought to reform Council processes.

Queensland public servant Scott Prasser discusses the Smart State strategy of the Beattie Government and the changing nature of the Queensland public service.

Stan Heilbron is a member of the Communist Party of Australia (CPA). He is notable for his work in the Townsville community as a member of the Federated Clerks Union (FCU), Secretary of the Gulliver Progress Association and as a member of the Parents and Citizens Association. He was involved in many social issues including public transport and housing.

Sue Yarrow joined the Labor Party in 1968, part of an influx of new members concerned that the party should be more broadly based and more responsive to issues affecting Queensland. She participated in the reform of the Queensland branch of the Labor Party following federal intervention in 1980 becoming the first organiser of the Socialist Left faction.

The Queensland Speaks Symposium, held on 3 November 2011 at the University of Queensland, gathered together about 30 thinkers and practitioners involved in Queensland’s political history.

Part 1 Oral History

In this session Danielle Miller delivers a reflective paper on the practice of oral history. This is followed by a discussion from other interviewers on their approach to oral history throughout the Queensland Speaks project. General discussion is concerned with the varying approaches to oral history in Queensland.

Note that due to the symposium format, on occasion part of a question or comment from the audience may be temporarily inaudible and that the audio has been recorded through a single microphone.

The Queensland Speaks Symposium, held on 3 November 2011 at the University of Queensland, gathered together about 30 thinkers and practitioners involved in Queensland’s political history.

Part 4 Premiers, Leadership and Change

In this session interview extracts from five premiers – Mike Ahern, Russell Cooper, Wayne Goss, Rob Borbidge and Peter Beattie – from Queensland Speaks are played to give an insight into each of their premierships. This is followed by a reflection by commentators Dr Paul Williams from Griffith University and Dr Rae Wear from the University of Queensland on the Queensland leadership style and changing trends. Questions from the audience on changing media reporting and the role of journalists follow.

Note that due to the symposium format, on occasion part of a question or comment from the audience may be temporarily inaudible and that the audio has been recorded through a single microphone.

Labor Party stalwart Terry Hampson (1935-2014) recalls his long history with the party, focusing on the events around the 1980 federal intervention in the state party. A founding member of the Socialist Left faction as well as a former party secretary, Hampson provides personal insights into the party and into political campaigning from the 1960s through to the 1990s.

Public servant Terry Hogan worked in both the Commonwealth and Queensland public sectors for over 20 years, ending as Director General of Queensland’s Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. While he held this role the Department undertook significant and contested policy reforms in the areas of Native Title negotiation, land clearing and water resource management.

Labor politician Terry Mackenroth discusses a career which began in Opposition during the Bjelke-Petersen era, and included ministries in both the Goss and Beattie governments. In 2000 he was Deputy Premier and in 2001 Treasurer, retiring in 2005. He discusses his reforms in planning and infrastructure, his commitment to social issues, and the threat posed by One Nation.

Labor politician Tom Barton speaks about his career in the trade union movement and his election to the Queensland parliament in 1995, focusing on his commitment to development and his time as Minister for State Development in the second Beattie Government.

Tony McGrady was the State Labor member for Mount Isa 1989-2006, following a four year term as Mayor of Mount Isa.  He was Minister for Resource Industries (1991-92), Energy (1992-96, 1998-2001), Mines (1998-2001), Police and Corrective Services (2001-04), Innovation and State Development (2004-05) and Speaker (2005-06). His mining background influenced a range of policy changes.

Trade Unionist Vince Dobinson was elected as a delegate of the Queensland branch of the Builders Labourers Federation in 1959, serving as an organiser 1962-72. He was elected as State Secretary from 1972-90. At federal level, he was the President of the Australian Builders Labourers Federation from 1974 until its deregistration in 1986. He reflects on his roles at both a state and federal level, discussing the changing nature of the construction industry and unionism within Queensland.

Trade Unionist Wallace Trohear was a member of the Building Workers Industrial Union (amalgamated into the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union in 1991) from 1973 to 2006. During that time he held a number of key positions in the union, including Queensland State Secretary from 1987-2006. He reflects on his many years experience in the building and construction industry and discusses the issues and challenges he faced during his career, from wage disputes to royal commissions.