David Williams comments on the challenges of stepping into the role of Director General from the Events Corporation. He recalls his surprise at the professionalism and intellectual rigour within different levels of the public service. He speaks of the importance of administrative processes and personnel management in handling his department's different portfolio areas.

Paul Fennelly talks about gaining access to the different levels of government as a spokesperson on behalf of various industries. He mentions some of the Queensland government figures that he found attentive to his representations. He compares these activities to his experiences while working for AI Group in Victoria and the different industrial environment in that state.

John Battams describes the different methods of working with Conservative and Labor governments. He states that each had a different view on trade unions, but neither was easier or more difficult to work with.

Terry Hogan outlines education reforms that coincided with the early phase of the Smart State strategy. He recalls that some education initiatives of this period were proposed earlier during the Goss years. He adds that Smart State helped build stronger relationships between the government and universities.