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.
Ann Scott talks about the current challenges facing the Police Service, and notes that while they have worked extremely hard to establish better relations with the Indigenous community, this continues to be a major issue. She also addresses the issue of racism within the Police Service, particularly Colin Dillon's 1997 complaint, drawing the comparison with sexism, and noting that the prejudices within the Police Service reflect those within society more broadly.
Ann Scott discusses the improvements to the Queensland Police Service post-Fitzgerald, while pointing out that the pre-Fitzgerald service was not wholly untrustworthy, and that today's service continues to face problems, such as the events on Palm Island. She also talks about the way that police policy was developed, and the role that the commissioner, federal initiatives and election promises played in the process.
Ann Scott comments on the rise of proactive policing post-Fitzgerald Inquiry, and on the implementation of statistical and other analysis of the operations of the Police Service. She suggests that this new approach has contributed to the much improved relationship between police and Indigenous people. She also notes that she disagreed with 1996 CJC assertions of increasing corruption in the police force, though she acknowledges that some level of corruption is inevitable.
Ann Scott talks about changes to the Police Service after the Fitzgerald Inquiry and the setting up of the CJC, noting that the reforms were generally viewed positively by the police service, though there was some resentment of the new, tertiary educated officers.
Ann Scott talks about her work with the Public Sector Management Commission and the major reforms in which she was involved, including the privatisation of correctional facilities, the changes to the police service in line with the findings of the Fitzgerald Inquiry, and the rise of equal opportunity initiatives across the public service. She also reflects on the challenges posed to the reform agenda by the political cultures of individual departments.
Ann Scott briefly comments on the 1991 CJC report into the misuse of parliamentary travel funds and also discusses the long-lived popularity of the Goss Government (which she attributes to their reform agenda), and their eventual downfall (wrought by the alienation of the country electorates). She also notes the sometimes difficult relationship between the government and the public service that resulted from the large-scale reforms.
Ann Scott contrasts the attitude of the new Goss Government with that of the out-going Bjelke-Petersen Government, and comments on the pros and cons of the new government's review of the public service. She also comments on the Goss Government's implementation of the recommendations of the Fitzgerald Inquiry.
Peter Beattie discusses the removal of highly competent Goss Government public servants by the Borbidge Government, and their replacement with less able Bjelke-Petersen era stalwarts.
Peter Beattie talks about his first years in parliament, and the challenge of chairing the PCJC during the CJC investigation into parliamentary travel allowances.
