Denver Beanland describes law reform and the Queensland justice system during his time in office, in particular the Juvenile Justice Act and amendments to the Criminal Code.
Jim Fouras discusses his sharp learning curve on becoming Shadow Minister for Welfare Services and Prisons in 1977, and the numerous people who helped him.
Anne Warner discusses the role of the Office of Cabinet and her relationship with them. She notes the centralisation of government in the period of the Goss Government where all decisions had to go through the cabinet office. To her, this system delayed the process of policy making. Anne Warner reflects that despite this there were many reforms completed over this period, such as the juvenile justice legislation.
Anne Warner describes the underpinning issue of social justice as an important theme that held the department together and gave her purpose. She states Aboriginal affairs was a significant issue, not only for policy makers but for Australian identity. She says she took a sense of achievement from opening women's refuges and childcare centres in remote areas. She was also proud of the juvenile justice legislation that was passed.
Ruth Matchett comments on the decision to move juvenile corrections to Department of Corrective Services in 1994. Discusses implications of establishment of COAG in 1992 and the role of the Commonwealth in the state department.
Ruth Matchett describes how she returned to social work at the Children's Court, which sparked her interest in juvenile justice. Main achievements were practical changes as the government was not interested in legislative change in this era. She discusses her involvement in the Domestic Violence Taskforce and how this led to a higher public profile and involvement in the development of social policy. In 1989 she was taken 'off-line' to develop the Women's Policy Unit when Beryce Nelson (1989) was the Minister.
