Paul Fennelly outlines his department's role in supporting the Research & Development sector and attracting high-technology industries and researchers to Queensland. He comments on the success that university vice-chancellors enjoyed in lobbying the Beattie Government. He states that this 'innovation' agenda was driven by Premier Beattie who enjoyed close links with research industry figures.
Rob Stable details his approach to senior staff appointments and his relationship with his staff. He notes his relationship with other directors general.
Mal Grierson details the transition from Goss to Borbidge to Beattie. He notes that the Borbidge win appeared as a surprise. He also got the impression that machinery around Borbidge was not ready to take government. In his view, Borbidge then turned to the people he knew had experience, such as Peter Ellis and Kevin Davies. He notes that the return of these senior public servants was quite surprising to many people in the public service. He notes the removal of Under Treasurer Gerard Bradley and many other removals that caused dismay in the public service.
David Watson discusses the Mundingburra by-election. He details the public service hit list and comments on appointments of directors general. He discusses his role as parliamentary secretary to the Treasurer and recalls the privatisation of Suncorp.
Ken Smith describes his working relationship with Anna Bligh. He details the administrative requirements of creating a cabinet following an election. He describes his work with the Public Service Commission in reducing the number of departments from twenty-four to thirteen and the subsequent reduction in directors general. He notes the implications this creation had for the relationship between the bureaucracy and ministers.
Ken Smith details his reappointment to Director General of the Families Department under the Beattie Government and his feelings of the response in parliament. He notes the rumours of a hit list in the previous government. And he discusses a more recent time when he was in the public spotlight when funds were denied to the Opposition for billboards.
David Hamill discusses his appointment as Treasurer. He explains how the Borbidge Government employed directors general on contract. He recalls approaching Gerard Bradley to come back to government if the Labor Party were re-elected.
