Pat Weller discusses the initial decision to create the CSC following a series of incidents at Boggo Road Gaol, and the factors that led to its failure, including a lack of public interest.
Pat Weller discusses the leadership changes in the National Party at the end of the 1980s in the context of the Fitzgerald Inquiry. He discusses the development of public sector policy, the distrubution of shadow portfolios, and the creation of the PSMC as the corollary of the CJC and EARC.
Craig Sherrin reflects on what he sees as the pros and cons of governments in Queensland, arguing that while the conservatives overemphasised the economy, Labor overemphasised the social.
Craig Sherrin recalls the 1989 election, including the swing against the Nationals, the loss of his seat and the Labor campaign, as well as the strength of Goss's leadership and cabinet.
Ruth Matchett outlines the role of Minister Yvonne Chapman (1986-87) in establishing the Domestic Violence Taskforce, followed up by Minister Peter McKechnie (1987-89). The taskforce recommendations were adopted by the coalition government under Russell Cooper as premier. She describes the challenge of preparing the recommendations so that they would be accepted by the government. Discusses how the removal of firearms from perpetrators of domestic violence was dropped from the recommendations so as not to create public debate on gun laws and so jeopardise all the other recommendations.
