Jim O'Sullivan discusses the incoming Beattie Government Police Minister, Tom Barton, and his decision to retire as Police Commissioner in 2000 rather than renew his contract.
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.
Jack Hutton describes his role as an unpaid official in the Trades and Labor Council, and comments on the way in which some trade unionists would use their position to further their own political aspirations.
Rod Welford notes that he had to wait his turn to enter cabinet. He thought this would happen in 1995 with the support of the Left faction but Tom Barton was given support over him. He notes his disappointment at not seeing Goss operate in cabinet.
Peter Henneken discusses the ministers he worked with during the Beattie years. He notes that in his last eight months the department was a super department and had four ministers. He then goes on to comment on functionality of mega-departments.
Frank Peach discusses the review conducted in Corrections. He outlines the role of governmental accountability and associated issues with public and privately owned prisons. Frank Peach outlines the context of these debates including the escape from the Sir David Longman Correctional Centre.
John Strano discusses the influence of ministers in the process of encouraging government investment. He describes this from Bjelke-Petersen Government through to the Beattie Government, he details the ministers through this period and then the staff where problems sometimes occured. He notes that from about 1995-96 he needed to justify some of the investment projects his section proposed. He notes that he had to educate governments to invest in the private sector but also let companies go about their business.
Russell Cooper describes receiving the corrective services ministry and the immediate reforms he encouraged. He recalls Mike Ahern wanting the black hole at Boggo Road gaol shut. He tells of his decision to shut the black hole and eventually the prison. He notes the decision behind the privatisation of prisons.
