Warren Pitt

Interviewed by
Robin Sullivan
Sep 15 2011
Warren Pitt
Warren Pitt was the Labor member for Mulgrave from 1989-95 and then again from 1998-2009. During his time in parliament he served as the Minister for Business, Industry and Regional Development (1995), Communities (2004-07) and Main Roads and Local Government (2007-09).
Biography
Time Summary Keywords
00:00:00 Warren Pitt discusses his childhood and education. He discusses the challenges of education in small towns. He provides a brief biography of his grandparents and discusses his close relationship with his English grandmother. After finishing his education in Charters Towers he completed teacher training.
00:07:57 Warren Pitt explains his decision to undertake further study. He completed two bachelor degrees externally and then a graduate diploma in management.
00:09:31 Warren Pitt discusses his family background and their political views. He tells of his father's desire for him to pursue a career in the police service. He explains his reasons for supporting the Labor Party. One Nation
00:10:59 Warren Pitt describes how his opposition to the Bjelke-Petersen Government contributed to his decision to join the Labor Party. He joined the party in 1975 after the federal Whitlam Government was dismissed from office. Whitlam Government 1972-75
00:11:45 Warren Pitt outlines his nomination for state parliament in 1986. He relates the difficulties of running for public office as a public servant during the era of National Party government. He describes the challenges of campaigning in 1986, his connection to the community and eventual success in 1989. 1986 election, 1989 election, campaign strategy, electoral redistribution, local government, Sport
00:15:49 Warren Pitt discusses the 1989 election. He describes the campaign techniques he employed and the importance of the Fitzgerald Inquiry in ending the period of National Party dominance. 1989 election, campaign strategy, Fitzgerald Inquiry, media
00:17:12 Warren Pitt describes his alignment to the AWU faction. factions, Jim Elder
00:18:40 Warren Pitt reflects on his role in the first Goss Government. He describes setting up his electoral office and his commitment to being an energetic local member. Sport
00:20:57 Warren Pitt contrasts the Goss Government's approach to regional Queensland with the approach of its predecessor. 1989 election, Goss Government 1989-96, regions
00:23:39 Warren Pitt discusses his appointment as deputy whip late in the first term and then taking on the role of whip. He describes the requirements of the position and his enjoyment of the role. He briefly mentions his shortlived appointment to the ministry in 1995. Gordon Nuttall, Tim Mulherin
00:29:01 Warren Pitt describes his defeat in 1995. He briefly worked for the government before returning to teaching. He stood for parliament in the 1998 election but lost to the One Nation candidate. He discusses the strength of One Nation. Pitt returned to parliament in a by-election six months after the election. 1998 election, One Nation
00:30:12 Warren Pitt discusses his loss at the 1995 election. He highlights the importance of the establishment of the Cape York Wilderness Zone and the feeling that citizens were losing access to the area. He talks about the importance of regional Queensland to ensuring the continuation of the Goss Government. Gold Coast Motorway, Naomi Wilson, regions, Wayne Goss
00:32:16 Warren Pitt provides his explanation for the success of One Nation in the 1998 election. He emphasises the impact of wealth disparity and discusses the importance of job creation and education. Bob Katter, Keith De Lacy, MACOS, One Nation, racism, Rona Joyner
00:38:00 Warren Pitt discusses his relationship with the One Nation member Charlie Rappolt. One Nation, Pauline Hanson
00:39:59 Warren Pitt discusses the resumption of his parliamentary career. He relates how he was offered a ministry in 2004.
00:41:09 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. directors general, Linda Apelt, relationship with public service
00:46:32  Warren Pitt delves into the issues he focused on as the Minister for Communities, particularly disability services. disability services, Linda Apelt
00:49:28 Warren Pitt discusses working with his federal counterparts and the underfunding that occurred during the Howard years. disability services, John Howard
00:51:33 Warren Pitt discusses his relationships with NGOs. He relates the difficulties of dealing with Endeavour in this period. non-government agencies
00:56:41 Warren Pitt gives his perspective on the ideal mix between government and private service providers. He discusses his approach to working with NGOs. non-government agencies
01:00:59 Warren Pitt discusses the funding of human services and the challenges of decentralisation. budget process, Cabinet, human services, non-government agencies
01:03:44 Warren Pitt talks about his approach to Aboriginal and Islander affairs. He highlights the importance of honesty and trust in dealing with Indigenous communities. Indigenous issues
01:06:09 Warren Pitt states his greatest achievement from his time in Communities was the development of an inclusive and open culture. He discusses his views on alcohol management. Bruce Flegg, Cape York, Indigenous Affairs, Noel Pearson
01:12:25 Warren Pitt discusses his time in the Main Roads and Local Government departments. He reflects on working with departmental staff and difficulties of working with the federal government and the funding of projects. Anna Bligh, infrastructure, Local Government Department, Main Roads
01:22:00 Warren Pitt outlines ushering through the local government amalgamations. He discusses the benefits of amalgamation. Andrew Fraser, Cairns, Local council amalgamations
01:25:21 Warren Pitt discusses the various premiers he has worked under and their working styles. He reflects on the Bligh Government and the criticism the government has faced since announcing the asset sales. Anna Bligh, factions, Kevin Rudd, media, Peter Beattie, privatisation, Terry Mackenroth, Wayne Goss
01:36:53 Warren Pitt describes the formation of the Department of the Communities as one of the best things he was involved with during his political career. He highlights the focus on disability services. He states that he regrets that he had to leave the department and was not able to devote more attention to Indigenous affairs. He talks about the need for a bipartisan approach to Indigenous affairs and the need for ministers to be involved long term in the area.
01:39:46 Interview ends.
Position:
Labor, Politician
Bailiwick:
Communities, Industry, Local Government and Planning, Main Roads
Decade:
1990s, 2000s
Sound byte: 

Warren Pitt

Biography

Warren Pitt

Labor politician Warren Pitt was first elected to parliament in 1989. He lost his seat in the 1995 election, but was re-elected in 1998 and served until 2009.

Warren Pitt was born in Cairns on 14 March 1948. He father was a police officer and during his childhood he lived in a number of different Queensland townships. After completing his schooling Pitt studied to become a teacher. While working as a teacher he was completed two bachelor degrees. 

In 1986 Pitt stood unsuccessfully for the state seat of Mulgrave. In 1989 he tried again and was successful. During the Goss years Pitt served as Deputy Whip and then Whip.  In 1995 he was appointed the Minister for Business, Industry and Regional Development. This appointment proved to be relatively short lived, as he lost his seat at the 1995 election. 

In 1998 Pitt again stood for the seat of Mulgrave. While Labor was successful in its quest to return to the government benches, Pitt lost to the One Nation candidate. He regained the seat of Mulgrave at a by-election on 5 December 1998. 

Pitt had to wait until 2004 before returning to the ministry. During his second stint in parliament he served as the Minister for Communities from 2004 to 2007. In 2007 he was shifted to Main Roads and Local Government. 

During his time in parliament Pitt served three Labor premiers. He retired on 20 March 2009.

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