Llew Edwards outlines his appointment as Minister for Health, the departmental structure and the input from the public service into the policy process. He notes that he inherited the senior public servants in Health and they remained in those positions for the entirety of his five year term.
Rod Welford discusses the importance of the relationship between minister, director general and departmental staff. He notes the importance of leadership and setting an agenda, and his process of Ministerial Issues Briefings.
Lawrence Springborg discusses his transition from whip to minister in the Borbidge Government. He outlines his approach to dealing with the Director General and the department.
Joan Sheldon relates her early experiences as a Member of Parliament and the lack of induction processes. She describes how she was immediately appointed to the shadow ministry. She recalls support she received from the medical fraternity and the lack of access to the public service.
Warren Pitt discusses his approach to working with the bureaucracy, including different directors general, across the three portfolios he held during his political career. He discusses his time as the Minister for Business and Industry in 1995, as well as Communities in 2004 and finally Main Roads. He contrasts his approach to staffing a department in 1995 and 2004. He contrasts the Family Services portfolio with the new Communities Department and the makeup of the department. He reflects on the directors general he worked with.
Mike Horan discusses his relationship with the public service when he was minister and the complex requirements of being both a minister and a member. He notes the importance of having a good director general as well as having a good relationship with them. He notes the importance of transitioning from being a shadow minister into a responsible minister.
Mike Horan describes his role after the 1992 election as Shadow Health Minister. As Health Minister he describes revamping the project management team at Queensland Health.
Martin Tenni discusses the selection of directors general as well as his relationships with the directors general he worked with during his ministerial career. He discusses the staffing of his ministerial office and the duties of his office staff.
