ALP activist Barbara Cross was active in the Labor Women's Central Organising Committee, represented Ryan electorate on the Queensland Central Executive (QCE), and stood unsuccessfully for the Brisbane City Council in 1967. Together with her husband Manfred Cross, they were some of the first to seek reform in the ALP during the 1970s, especially pushing for a stronger role for branch members and women. Manfred Cross, who was interviewed previously in December 2010, tracked his party and parliamentary activities through to the fall of the Whitlam federal government in 1975. This interview takes up the account from that time, and includes Barbara's insights into party activities and the conflicts she perceived which led to her and Manfred's advocacy in favour of federal intervention by the ALP National Executive.
Unionist Bob Gleeson is from Longreach, where he was a shearing contractor, grazier and staunch Australian Workers Union member. In 1962 he joined the Australian Labor Party (ALP) holding many positions within the party, standing twice for the seat of Kennedy and on the ALP's Queensland Senate ticket on two occasions. He was active through the years of reform and intervention in the party and shares his memories of those turbulent years.
Bob Henricks discusses his years in the Australian Labor Party (ALP), his involvement in the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and in the issues confronting the ALP in the years preceding the National Executive's intervention in the Queensland Branch in 1980. He was involved in activism across areas as diverse as environmental issues and anti war and anti-apartheid campaigning.
Academic Colin Hughes discusses the development of political science as a discipline as well as providing insights into Queensland politics and his involvement with EARC.
David Russell QC was the Queensland State President (1995-99) and Federal President (2005-06) of the National Party and a key player in the formation of the Queensland LNP. In this interview he discusses his work on party reforms and his role as a power broker within the National Party.
Diane Fingleton served as Chief Magistrate of the Queensland Magistrates Court from 1999-2003, though her time in the position was surrounded by controversy. Her career spans a range of legal and policy-related roles and she discusses the workings of politics and justice in Queensland.
Errol Hodder joined the Australian Workers Union (AWU) in 1955 while working in the shearing industry in western Queensland. He worked his way up becoming Queensland Branch Secretary (1982-88) and Federal AWU Secretary (1988-91). He went on to serve on the Queensland and Australian Industrial Relations Commission (1991-2003) and played an active role in the ALP following the 1980 National Executive intervention into the Queensland Branch and leading to the return of the ALP to government in Queensland in 1989.
ALP member Greg Moran worked as an ALP State Organiser (1984-91) before taking up positions advising the Brisbane Lord Mayor, Jim Soorley (1991-92) and as Policy Advisor to Ministers during the Goss Government (1992-95). He is an ALP activist, very involved in party and factional activities. He discusses the 1980 federal intervention in the Queensland ALP.
Harry Hauenschild's (1933-2011) career spanned several fields – unionism, the Labor Party and the TAFE sector. He discusses the federal intervention in the Queensland Labor Party, the relationship between the state and commonwealth and the implementation of competency based apprenticeships and traineeships.
Ian Brusasco joined the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in about 1960, representing it as an Alderman on the Brisbane City Council for 14 years. He subsequently guided the ALP Inner Executive in turning around the fortunes of their radio station 4KQ, and management of the ALP's finances. In this interview he speaks about those years and about his continued influence after the 1980 intervention by the National Executive into the affairs on the Queensland Branch of the ALP.
Ian McLean served as President of the Queensland branch of Labor Party from 1984 to 1994. He reflects on the 1980 federal intervention in the Queensland branch of the Labor Party.
John Hay was the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Queensland (1996-2007) during a time of rationalisation in the higher education sector and increasing university engagement with the state government. During this period a number of world-class research institutes were built in Queensland, with funding from The Atlantic Philanthropies, Queensland Government Smart State monies and the Australian Government.
Labor Party activist Joy Ardill was the first woman elected as Vice-President of the Queensland Branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in 1981. In this interview she discusses her time as a Socialist Left (SL) activist in the ALP through the 1970s and 1980s in the lead up to intervention in the party by the National Executive.
Queensland Labor Party candidate Lindsay Jones joined the ALP in 1959 and stood, unsuccessfully, in 1974 for the seat of Lockyer, and in 1980 for Toowoomba North. He served as an Alderman on the Toowoomba City Council for six years in the late 1970s. From 1988 Jones worked in various positions in the ALP including as the State Organiser, and then as Assistant State Secretary, until 1996. Together with his wife Norma Jones they were key leaders of reform in Toowoomba leading to the 1980 federal intervention in the Queensland branch of the ALP.
Labor Party activist Nic Bos was a member of the Old Guard of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) during the years leading to the National Executive’s 1980 intervention. Associated with the ETU, he held many ALP roles including State President of Young Labor, State ALP Organiser, and State Secretary from 1978.
Norma Jones has been a stalwart of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) since she joined in 1970. At that time Norma lived in Toowoomba, where she was very active, holding many positions in her branch and representing Toowoomba South and the Darling Downs on State Council and State Conferences. During the years leading to the 1980 federal intervention in the ALP, the Toowoomba Branches were in turmoil which led to their closure by the (then) Inner Executive of the ALP. At this time, Norma Jones was central to the movement for reform of the party and is now a Life Member, having continued her involvement and serving as a member of the National ALP Executive and Party Organiser.
Academic Pat Weller discusses his involvement with Queensland politics from the late 1980s until 2009, particularly the period in which Labor returned to government after a 32 year absence, providing insight into the internal workings of the party, and on his involvement with the Corrective Services Commission.
Scientist Professor Peter Andrews AO reflects on his appointment by Peter Beattie as Queensland's first Chief Scientist from 2003-10. In particular he focuses on his role in supporting the Beattie Government's Smart State strategy.
Labor Party member and ministerial staffer Rob Whiddon was a central figure in pursuing the reform of the Queensland branch of the Labor Party and later served as Premier Peter Beattie's Chief of Staff. In this capacity he was involved with the implementation of the Smart State agenda.
Sue Yarrow joined the Labor Party in 1968, part of an influx of new members concerned that the party should be more broadly based and more responsive to issues affecting Queensland. She participated in the reform of the Queensland branch of the Labor Party following federal intervention in 1980 becoming the first organiser of the Socialist Left faction.
The Queensland Speaks Symposium, held on 3 November 2011 at the University of Queensland, gathered together about 30 thinkers and practitioners involved in Queensland’s political history.
Part 1 Oral History
In this session Danielle Miller delivers a reflective paper on the practice of oral history. This is followed by a discussion from other interviewers on their approach to oral history throughout the Queensland Speaks project. General discussion is concerned with the varying approaches to oral history in Queensland.
Note that due to the symposium format, on occasion part of a question or comment from the audience may be temporarily inaudible and that the audio has been recorded through a single microphone.
The Queensland Speaks Symposium, held on 3 November 2011 at the University of Queensland, gathered together about 30 thinkers and practitioners involved in Queensland’s political history.
Part 2 The Pattern of Government Spending
In this session Peter Ellis and Ross Rolfe, two former directors general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and Joan Sheldon, former Treasurer, speak about their experiences of government spending, including the major sources of expenditure, fiscal constraints and the perceptions of Treasury. Following presentations, discussion turns to the politicisation of the public service.
Note that due to the symposium format, on occasion part of a question or comment from the audience may be temporarily inaudible and that the audio has been recorded through a single microphone.
The Queensland Speaks Symposium, held on 3 November 2011 at the University of Queensland, gathered together about 30 thinkers and practitioners involved in Queensland’s political history.
Part 3 Women in Government
In this session the role of women in government is discussed from a number of perspectives. Lesley Clark, former member for Barron River and academic, discusses the importance of affirmative action in encouraging more women members of parliament. Robin Sullivan discusses her role in the public service from school principal in Tully to Director General. Leigh Tabrett discusses her roles in the public service and some of her experiences. The session concludes with Joan Sheldon sharing some of her experiences and general discussion on the role of mentoring.
Note that due to the symposium format, on occasion part of a question or comment from the audience may be temporarily inaudible and that the audio has been recorded through a single microphone.
The Queensland Speaks Symposium, held on 3 November 2011 at the University of Queensland, gathered together about 30 thinkers and practitioners involved in Queensland’s political history.
Part 4 Premiers, Leadership and Change
In this session interview extracts from five premiers – Mike Ahern, Russell Cooper, Wayne Goss, Rob Borbidge and Peter Beattie – from Queensland Speaks are played to give an insight into each of their premierships. This is followed by a reflection by commentators Dr Paul Williams from Griffith University and Dr Rae Wear from the University of Queensland on the Queensland leadership style and changing trends. Questions from the audience on changing media reporting and the role of journalists follow.
Note that due to the symposium format, on occasion part of a question or comment from the audience may be temporarily inaudible and that the audio has been recorded through a single microphone.
Labor Party stalwart Terry Hampson (1935-2014) recalls his long history with the party, focusing on the events around the 1980 federal intervention in the state party. A founding member of the Socialist Left faction as well as a former party secretary, Hampson provides personal insights into the party and into political campaigning from the 1960s through to the 1990s.
The Queensland Speaks website was launched on 3 November 2011 at the University of Queensland by the Hon Mike Ahern AO, Premier of Queensland 1987-89, and one of the project's interview subjects. Mike Ahern gave the following address to the audience.
Note this audio has been recorded through a single microphone.
Union leader and activist Wilf Ardill discusses his history in the union movement and the Labor Party and recalls the federal intervention into the Queensland branch of the Labor Party and the formation of the Socialist Left faction.
