Mike Ahern

Russell Cooper - 00:18:36

Interview: 
Russell Cooper
Time: 
00:18:36
Russell Cooper describes the period when Joh Bjelke-Petersen was deposed as Premier. He describes the disagreements within the National Party before this, the removal of five ministers by Joh Bjelke-Petersen and the election of Mike Ahern. He discusses the flow-on impact this had on grass roots supporters of the National Party, and its subsequent roots in One Nation.

Ross Rolfe - 01:18:30

Interview: 
Ross Rolfe
Time: 
01:18:30
Ross Rolfe reflects on the relationship between premiers and universities, including Peter Beattie and Mike Ahern, and Peter Beattie's ability to convince the media of its importance. He describes the spread of Smart State-ism to other activities including 'clean coal' technologies, gas, coal seam methane, and aviation. He describes the failure in the synchrotron bid and the resulting initiative with Paul Greenfield of the University of Queensland to get federal funding for the AIBN.

Brian Head - 00:01:56

Interview: 
Brian Head
Time: 
00:01:56
Brian Head recalls his arrival in Brisbane in 1982, and the concern with the apparently unassailable Bjelke-Petersen regime. He briefly discusses the eventual downfall of the Bjelke-Petersen Government, and the election of the Goss Government on a reform platform. He discusses his position as the first head of policy in the Premier's Department in 1990, and discusses the selection process in the context of the post Bjelke-Petersen merit-based appointment system. He also mentions the gulag to which many senior Bjelke-Petersen public servants were sent by the Goss Government.
Syndicate content