Rob Borbidge tells how he built up the motel and compares it to farming. He describes how he became involved in the Queensland branch of the National Party and made a decision to stand for parliament. He discusses the preselection process, where he was the only candidate, and the election which he won on Labor preferences.
Wayne Goss discusses leaving state politics in 1996, the One Nation phenomenon at the 1998 election, and considering entering federal politics in 1997.
Wayne Goss reflects on the challenges of funding and reforming the health service, including the unsuccessful regional model, and the implementation of the 10 year hospital rebuilding schedule continued by successive governments.
Wayne Goss discusses the new candidates introduced for the 1983 election, his uneasy alignment with the Labor factions, and the lack of success at the 1986 election.
Mike Ahern discusses the affects of the Fitzgerald Inquiry on his term as premier and his famous promise to implement the recommendations from the inquiry 'lock, stock and barrel'. He speaks about his professional life after politics.
Ross Rolfe discusses his role in the recovery program following Cyclone Larry in 2006 with Peter Beattie, appointment of Peter Cosgrove to lead the recovery and the role of the Australian Armed Forces. He describes the good relationship between Peter Beattie and John Howard, and his own with Peter Shergold. He tells of the role of Terry Mackenroth in oversighting the appeals fund. He states that within 9 months the 20,000 destroyed houses had been rebuilt and local economy had recovered.
Ross Rolfe describes the approach by Peter Beattie in 2005 that led him to become Director General of Department of Premier and Coordinator General, and discusses the 3 major policy challenges in 2005-07, namely infrastructure, health and water policy.
Ross Rolfe reflects on the relationship between premiers and universities, including Peter Beattie and Mike Ahern, and Peter Beattie's ability to convince the media of its importance. He describes the spread of Smart State-ism to other activities including 'clean coal' technologies, gas, coal seam methane, and aviation. He describes the failure in the synchrotron bid and the resulting initiative with Paul Greenfield of the University of Queensland to get federal funding for the AIBN.
