Ten
of the best
1 The decision by police minister Bill Gunn, right,
in May 1987 to hold a royal commission into police corruption.
The inquiry by Tony Fitzgerald, QC, did much to end decades of
corruption.
2 Gunn's decision, on advice from Ian Callinan, QC —
now High Court Justice Callinan — to appoint Fitzgerald to
head the corruption inquiry.
3 Decisions by Queensland governments to concentrate
on primary industries, including mining, at the expense of
manufacturing, sparing Queensland much of the post-1983 pain
of tariff reductions and loss of protection.
4 Abolition of death duties by the Bjelke-Petersen
government in 1972. This had an enormous impact, producing a
flight of capital from southern states; other states
then followed suit. Death duties were a
regressive taxation.
5
The Bjelke-Petersen government's support for "development".
Although this was not without its costs, much of Queensland's
prosperity has been underpinned by the efforts of foreign
mining companies.
6 Demolition of the Belle Vue Hotel, left, in April
1979. Although this could be included in the "worst decisions"
list, the furore caused the Bjelke-Petersen government to
rethink its policies on conservation of old buildings.
The Belle Vue did not die in vain: its sacrifice saved
Parliament House, the Mansions Building in George Street and
many other beautiful buildings from the Victorian era.
7
Support for Gold Coast canal and waterway developments, right,
pioneered by Sir Bruce Small. Despite gloomy prognostications,
these estates have not become stagnant, mosquito-ridden
backwaters but provide a comfortable lifestyle for many.
8 The decision, more than 80 years ago, to
consolidate the local councils of the Brisbane area into the
Brisbane City Council. Unusual in Australia, this huge local
authority has had its critics — and its necessarily uneasy
relationships with state governments — but remains one of the
most efficient administrations in Australia, mercifully free
of the corruption that has plagued councils in other capital
cities.
9 The electoral reforms of the late 1980s and early
1990s that removed a corrupt system abused by both Labor and
Country/National parties over the years. The so-called zonal
system made a mockery of "one vote-one value", encouraged
arrogance in office and timidity in opposition and devalued
the democratic process.
10 Enthusiastic support for World Expo 88 by the
Queensland government. Expo convinced Queenslanders that it
was possible to eat outside, enjoy the culture and cuisine of
other countries and enjoy their city as never before. Before
Expo, Brisbane was a big country town; after Expo, it never
looked back.
Ten of the worst
