Joy Ardill outlines the aims of the early Socialist Left (SL) in the ALP. She recalls meetings with Denis Murphy and Peter Beattie. She names a number of key reformers in the ALP.
David Williams describes how governments use events and tourism campaigns to shape public perceptions of particular places. He notes the growth of intense competition between cities and states to attract events that help create a certain image of different locations. He reflects on the short and long-term economic benefits of hosting events and attracting tourists, and how political leaders have used this to the state's advantage.
Paul Fennelly comments on the impact of the Smart State strategy on Queensland's economic development. He notes that some of the strategy's impetus for constructive change was lost when the slogan was overused by sections of the State's public service.
Paul Fennelly speaks of his department's interest and activity in the energy sector, in particular the gas export industry. He describes the Beattie Government's eagerness to pursue sources of energy production in addition to coal.
Paul Fennelly talks about his department's role in supporting development projects and investment in Queensland's traditional primary industries, and the department's relations with this sector. He outlines the importance of the role of Coordinator General in determining support for certain projects, but notes that this process may have become overused by state governments.
Paul Fennelly describes the addition of the Innovation portfolio to the State Development Department under the Beattie Government. He comments on the machinery of government changes following elections generally, and on the changes specifically to State Development while he was Director General.
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.
Paul Fennelly describes the standing of the Department of State Development in relation to the Beattie Government's overall agenda. He speaks about the department's ministers and their relations with other senior Cabinet members.
Paul Fennelly gives his impressions of the early Beattie government and its relations with industry and the business sector in Queensland. He comments on that government's strong relations with the university sector, and how these as well as its industry links helped to establish the Smart State agenda. He describes how, after three years with the AI Group in Victoria, he returned to enter the Queensland public service.
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.
