Peter Henneken discusses the role of ministerial minders and their interactions with the public service in the 1990s. He segues into employment arrangements in the public service, including the impact of the contract system on advice. He discusses public service activism and the role that public servants can play in shaping the policy agenda.
Bill Hayden talks about Queensland Labor's poor showing in the 1974 Senate election. He argues that Whitlam developed good policies but suggests the implementation process could have been better managed. He recalls Vince Gair's appointment to be Ambassador of Ireland.
David Watson describes some of the challenges to the public consultation process. He comments on the reshuffling of portfolios and the relevance of placing some portfolios with others.
Frank Peach explains why he was unable to continue with the Department of Families and implement the recommendations from the CMC inquiry. He discusses the difficulties and challenges of the Family Services portfolio.
Brian Head discusses his work at the PSMC in the context of the public service's discontent with constant restructuring, and their disquiet with the failing Goss Government in late 1995. He comments that while the Goss Government was an excellent reformer, it was seen as less effective in day-to-day service delivery.
