Bob Quinn explains his decision to retain Frank Peach as the Director General of Education. He states that ministers had a lot of control over the appointment of directors general for their departments. He describes allowing Peach to take responsibility for hiring and firing in the department. He discusses political appointments to the public service.
Terry Mackenroth describes the incoming Borbidge Government, including the ramifications of the capital works freeze, and the replacement of the public servants with Bjelke-Petersen era stalwarts.
Gerard Bradley describes the circumstances under which he was informed by Joan Sheldon that he was no longer Under Treasurer. He notes the mentorship of John Hall in helping him through this difficult time.
Gerard Bradley describes the period when he took over as Under Treasurer in February 1995. He details the period after this when the Borbidge Government took power and he was removed from the role. He then left the Queensland public service and became Under Treasurer in South Australia under the Olsen Government. He describes the period when Treasurer David Hamill invited him back to Queensland to serve as Under Treasurer.
Frank Peach discusses the public service during the Borbidge Government. He explains how he wasn’t made redundant and the surprise this caused some members of the Labor Party. He describes his shift to Corrective Services.
Ken Smith details his reappointment to Director General of the Families Department under the Beattie Government and his feelings of the response in parliament. He notes the rumours of a hit list in the previous government. And he discusses a more recent time when he was in the public spotlight when funds were denied to the Opposition for billboards.
John Strano describes his experience in the public service when the Borbidge Government came to power. He notes the hit list at this time. He goes on to describe his ambivalence about working in the trade role, and generally about the approach of state governments pursuing trade. Under the Borbidge Government he notes that he was in charge of running an investment team where he had greater access to senior bureaucrats to facilitate investment. He describes the initial talks between Boeing and the government.
Jim Varghese discusses the role of frank and fearless advice during the Borbidge era. He recalls a story regarding Lawrence Springborg and the issue of water allocations.
