Peter Henneken recalls the early Bjelke-Petersen years. He discusses his impression of the relationship between the government and the bureaucracy in this period.
Peter Henneken discusses his decision to work as a planning officer in the Department of Labour in 1980. He notes his time in the Public Service Board as a time of building knowledge and contacts in the public service. He also discusses merit, equity and the independence of the public service.
Peter Henneken describes the transition from working as a computer programmer for Main Roads to the Public Service Board in 1976, primarily working in the inspection area. He also discusses recruitment trends in the senior public service.
Peter Henneken discusses his time at Main Roads and working for the Public Service Board. He also touches on the tradition of studying while working as a public servant.
Peter Henneken continues to discuss the Catholic mafia. He tells of the assistance he received from them in furthering his career. He notes in this period the Public Service Board and the Labour Department were both predominantly populated by Catholics.
Mal Grierson details the challenge that education in computer technologies posed to the typical promotion structure of the public service and how the Public Service Board introduced an annual review process. He notes that after obtaining his economics degree he gained a higher promotion. To him this showed a trend towards valuing the individual skills of employees in the public sector.
Leo Hielscher delves into the nature of public administration in the 1980s. He discusses the introduction of the operational audit service and the contract system in the public service. He discusses the Savage Report into the public service.
Leo Hielscher reflects on the staffing and recruitment arrangements in the Treasury Department. He highlights his efforts to recruit graduates to the department.
