Peter Coaldrake describes his time at PSMC and the lessons he learnt during this period, including the importance of teamwork and benefit of having a small central team. He notes the efforts to build a positive work environment through CEO meetings, events for the SES and working closely with ministers and directors general. He reflects on the criticism that ministers were ambushed in Cabinet.
Peter Coaldrake reflects on his early impressions of the Queensland public service. He discusses the appointment of heads of department. He highlights Erik Finger's role as the head of the public service.
Peter Henneken discusses public service reform and the centralisation of decision making. He notes the reforms in relations to labour policy. He also makes the point that some of the language about the unions used by Kevin Rudd as prime minister was also used during the Goss years. He discusses the balance between central agencies and departments in successive Queensland governments.
Mal Grierson details the possible reasons for his being chosen as responsible for Works. He labels Erik Finger as one of the figures influential in the choice, as well as Ross Dunning. He notes that this restructuring was a very dramatic time.
Brian Head discusses his job in the Queensland Premier's Department in the context of the changes wrought by Prime Minister Bob Hawke's new federalism, as well as his position as Cabinet Secretary and the reshaping of the Cabinet Office.
Brian Head recalls his arrival in Brisbane in 1982, and the concern with the apparently unassailable Bjelke-Petersen regime. He briefly discusses the eventual downfall of the Bjelke-Petersen Government, and the election of the Goss Government on a reform platform. He discusses his position as the first head of policy in the Premier's Department in 1990, and discusses the selection process in the context of the post Bjelke-Petersen merit-based appointment system. He also mentions the gulag to which many senior Bjelke-Petersen public servants were sent by the Goss Government.
