Lawrence Springborg discusses Beattie's media skills and the Smart State policy. He describes Smart State as building on the work of earlier governments.
Jim Soorley describes his impressions of the Beattie Government's Smart State strategy, and how it impacted upon Brisbane and the BCC. He notes the beginnings of government interest in research investment in medical institutes and universities.
Bill Hewitt delves into the establishment of the select committee examining education policy and the influences on the committee's work. He discusses the role of Lionel Powell.
John Strano discusses the Smart State by noting that a lot of the thinking and push for the branding came from the university sector. He details the influence of universities upon the encouragement for biotechnology. He goes on to detail the outcomes of this policy that many strategists did not consider, largely that biotech had very different flow on effects for the economy compared to IT.
Leo Hielscher describes his early appointments as junior clerk in the State Government Insurance Office and the Audit Office, interrupted by a period in the Air Force. He outlines some of the audits he was involved in and describes completing an accounting course and a commerce degree.
Brian Head describes his life after leaving the public service in 2003, including applying for a range of jobs before accepting a research chair at Griffith University, the challenge of re-establishing himself as a senior academic after having been in the public service for 13 years, and his subsequent move to the University of Queensland.
Peter Beattie reflects on his policy initiatives, identifying the Smart State suite of policies as his greatest achievement, and reiterating his belief in the importance of research and innovation in Queensland's future.
Ross Rolfe describes the relationship between government and vice chancellors under the Beattie era, including John Hay at UQ, and Dennis Gibson at QUT, Glyn Davis's links between government and Griffith University, and the role of Ken Fletcher and billionaire philanthropist Chuck Feeney.
