Ann Scott recalls her appointment as Principal Policy Officer in the Women's Policy Unit in 1990, her subsequent employment in the Public Sector Management Commission and the Social Policy Unit, and the impact of Goss and Rudd's reforms to the ministerial and public service. She highlights the highly interventionist nature of the reforms and the turbulence and difficulty of the time.
Ann Scott comments on the Bjelke-Petersen Government and its relationship with the public service. She notes that while the government was unquestionably oppressive, as demonstrated by the increasing use of the police to quell discontent, it allowed the public service a great deal of autonomy and, consequently, it was generally a very comfortable time to work there.
Ann Scott discusses her early interest in education policy, particularly in the actions of the STOP and CARE group, and her first job at the North Brisbane College of Advanced Education, teaching courses tailored to give women more occupational mobility. She also discusses her PhD in the politics of education, focused on the impacts of the Ahern Committee, and her subsequent employment as a policy officer in the Education Department.
Rosemary Kyburz describes her marriage to Queensland state parliamentarian Rob Akers, their domestic arrangements maintaining two households, and her giving birth to two children while in parliament, and the difficulties experienced by women with children in parliament.
Rosemary Kyburz describes the reaction to her election as the first woman Liberal Party member of Queensland state parliament, attitudes to women, her determination to dress differently to men by wearing colour. She found parliament 'antique' and full of stuffed shirts. She was upset by the decision of the principal at Coopers Plains State School (where she had been teaching) to not allow her to say goodbye to her class. She had not taken leave from her teaching position for the election campaign.
Rosemary Kyburz discusses her decision to stand in the 1974 Queensland state election for the seat of Salisbury for the Liberal Party as again no male wanted endorsement. She had $500 campaign money, the support of the tennis club and had two dozen election posters printed for a large electorate that took in Woodridge, what is now Algester, and Moorooka. Because Joh Bjelke-Petersen campaigned on an anti-Whitlam platform, Kyburz was elected. Only two women were elected in 1974, Kyburz and Vicky Kippin (National Party, Mourilyan electorate) in north Queensland.
Peter Beattie talks about the need to placate the Queensland electorate by giving even the most radical policy the appearance of conservatism, including reforms to anti-discrimination legislation.
Peter Beattie discusses his decision to retire from politics, his work to foster talent within the party in order to transition the leadership of the party, and initial resistance to his selection of a female successor.
Peter Beattie discusses his decision to resign as Labor State Secretary and run for preselection in the 1989 state election, placing this in the context of a push to expand the party beyond the unions to include groups such as women and white collar workers.
