Bjelke-Petersen ministry

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The Bjelke-Petersen Ministry was a ministry of the Government of Queensland and was led by Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, who led the Country Party and its successor, the National Party. It succeeded the Chalk Ministry on 8 August 1968 as part of a series of events following the death of former Premier Jack Pizzey on 31 July. It was succeeded by the Ahern Ministry on 1 December 1987 following Bjelke-Petersen's resignation as Premier.

Bjelke-Petersen Ministry

39th, 40th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th Cabinet of Queensland
Date formed8 August 1968
Date dissolved1 December 1987
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
Governor
No. of ministers13–22
Member partyNational[a]
Status in legislatureMajority government
49 / 89
Opposition partyLabor
Opposition leader
History
Outgoing election1986 Queensland state election
Legislature term1968–1987
PredecessorChalk
SuccessorAhern

All lists below are ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Hansard index. Blue entries indicate members of the Liberal Party, while non-shaded entries indicate members of the Country or National Party.

First ministry

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The first Bjelke-Petersen ministry was sworn in by Governor Alan Mansfield on 8 August 1968, and served until the reconstitution of the Ministry on 29 May 1969. It was almost unchanged from the Pizzey Ministry and Chalk Ministry. Max Hodges was appointed to fill the cabinet vacancy caused by Jack Pizzey's death, and the roles vacated by Bjelke-Petersen on becoming Premier.[1][2]

Office Minister

Premier
Minister for State Development

Joh Bjelke-Petersen

Deputy Premier
Treasurer

Gordon Chalk

Minister for Mines
Minister for Main Roads
Minister for Electricity

Ron Camm
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Peter Delamothe, OBE, MBBS

Minister for Education
Minister for Cultural Activities

Alan Fletcher
Minister for Local Government and Conservation Harold Richter
Minister for Primary Industries John Row
Minister for Health Douglas Tooth
Minister for Labour and Tourism John Herbert
Minister for Transport William Knox
Minister for Industrial Development Fred Campbell
Minister for Lands Vic Sullivan

Minister for Works
Minister for Housing

Max Hodges

Second ministry

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On 29 May 1969, following the 1969 election on 17 May, the Ministry was reconstituted by the Administrator, William Mack, due to the Governor's absence, and served until the next reconstitution of the ministry on 20 June 1972. There were almost no changes—Harold Richter retired from politics, and Nev Hewitt was appointed to the resulting cabinet vacancy.[3][4] On 4 September 1969, the cabinet was expanded from 13 to 14 members, and Wally Rae was appointed.[5]

On 19 December 1971, Peter Delamothe, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, resigned to take up an appointment as Agent-General of Queensland. His position in the ministry was left vacant for the remainder of the term, while William Knox was appointed to his former roles.

Office Minister

Premier
Minister for State Development

Joh Bjelke-Petersen

Deputy Premier
Treasurer

Gordon Chalk

Minister for Mines
Minister for Main Roads
Minister for Electricity (until 4 September 1969)

Ron Camm
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Peter Delamothe, OBE, MBBS
(until 19 December 1971)

Minister for Education
Minister for Cultural Activities

Alan Fletcher
Minister for Primary Industries John Row
Minister for Health
Douglas Tooth
Minister for Labour and Tourism
John Herbert

Minister for Transport
Attorney-General (from 20 December 1971)
Minister for Justice (from 20 December 1971)

William Knox
Minister for Industrial Development Fred Campbell
Minister for Lands Vic Sullivan

Minister for Works
Minister for Housing

Max Hodges

Minister for Local Government and Marine Activities
  (until 4 September 1969)
Minister for Conservation, Marine and Aboriginal Affairs
  (from 4 September 1969)

Nev Hewitt

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Electricity

Wally Rae
(from 4 September 1969)

Third ministry

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On 20 June 1972, following the 1972 election on 27 May, the Ministry was reconstituted by the Governor, Sir Colin Hannah, and served until the next reconstitution of the ministry on 23 December 1974. John Row retired from Parliament, and a further cabinet vacancy existed due to Delamothe's departure in December 1971. Keith Hooper and Henry McKechnie were appointed to fill the vacancies.[6]

Office Minister

Premier

Joh Bjelke-Petersen

Deputy Premier
Treasurer

Sir Gordon Chalk, K.B.E.

Minister for Mines
Minister for Main Roads

Ron Camm

Attorney-General
Minister for Justice

William Knox

Minister for Education
Minister for Cultural Activities

Sir Alan Fletcher
Minister for Health Douglas Tooth

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Welfare Services

John Herbert

Minister for Development and Industrial Affairs

Fred Campbell
Minister for Primary Industries Vic Sullivan

Minister for Works
Minister for Housing

Max Hodges
Minister for Conservation, Marine and Aboriginal Affairs Nev Hewitt, M.M., A.F.M.
Minister for Lands and Forestry Wally Rae
Minister for Transport Keith Hooper
Minister for Local Government and Electricity
Henry McKechnie
(until 24 October 1974)
Russ Hinze
(from 24 October 1974)

Fourth ministry

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On 23 December 1974, following the 1974 election on 7 December, the Ministry was reconstituted, and served until a reshuffle on 13 August 1976. Sir Alan Fletcher and Douglas Tooth retired from politics and left the ministry, while Wally Rae was appointed Agent-General of Queensland on 6 December. They were replaced by Tom Newbery, Ken Tomkins and Llew Edwards.[7]

On 10 March 1975, the ministry grew from 14 to 18 offices.

Office Minister

Premier

Joh Bjelke-Petersen

Deputy Premier
Treasurer

Sir Gordon Chalk, K.B.E., LL.D.

Minister for Mines and Energy

Ron Camm

Attorney-General
Minister for Justice

William Knox

Minister for Community and Welfare Services
Minister for Sport

John Herbert

Minister for Industrial Development
Minister for Labour Relations and Consumer Affairs

Fred Campbell

Minister for Primary Industries
Minister for Fisheries (until 25 March 1975)

Vic Sullivan

Minister for Police
Minister for Works (until 10 March 1975)
Minister for Housing (until 10 March 1975)

Max Hodges

Minister for Water Resources
Minister for Marine Services (until 10 March 1975)
Minister for Aboriginal and Islanders Advancement
  (until 10 March 1975)

Nev Hewitt, M.M., A.F.M.
Minister for Transport Keith Hooper

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Main Roads

Russ Hinze

Minister for Tourism
Minister for Education (until 10 March 1975)
Minister for Cultural Activities (until 10 March 1975)
Minister for Marine Services (from 10 March 1975)

Tom Newbery

Minister for Lands and Forestry
Minister for National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ken Tomkins
Minister for Health Llew Edwards, MBBS

Minister for Education
Minister for Cultural Activities

Val Bird
(from 10 March 1975)

Minister for Works
Minister for Housing

Norm Lee
(from 10 March 1975)

Minister for Aboriginal and Islanders Advancement
Minister for Fisheries (from 25 March 1975)

Claude Wharton
(from 10 March 1975)
Minister for Survey, Valuation and Urban & Regional Affairs Bill Lickiss, Q.G.M.
(from 10 March 1975)

Reconstitution

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On 13 August 1976, Deputy Premier and Liberal leader Sir Gordon Chalk resigned, resulting in a reshuffle. William Knox replaced Chalk in his roles, while John Greenwood was appointed to the vacant position in the ministry.[8]

Keith Hooper, Minister for Transport and Liberal member for Greenslopes, died on 23 August 1977. Fred Campbell added Transport to his roles for the remainder of the parliamentary term.

Office Minister

Premier

Joh Bjelke-Petersen

Deputy Premier
Treasurer

William Knox

Minister for Mines and Energy

Ron Camm

Minister for Community and Welfare Services
Minister for Sport

John Herbert

Minister for Industrial Development
Minister for Labour Relations and Consumer Affairs
Minister for Transport (from 26 August 1977)

Fred Campbell

Minister for Primary Industries

Vic Sullivan

Minister for Tourism
Minister for Marine Services

Max Hodges

Minister for Water Resources

Nev Hewitt, M.M., A.F.M.
Minister for Transport Keith Hooper
(died 23 August 1977)

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Main Roads

Russ Hinze
Minister for Police Tom Newbery

Minister for Lands and Forestry
Minister for National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ken Tomkins
Minister for Health Llew Edwards, MBBS

Minister for Education
Minister for Cultural Activities

Val Bird

Minister for Works
Minister for Housing

Norm Lee

Minister for Aboriginal and Islanders Advancement
Minister for Fisheries

Claude Wharton
Attorney-General

Minister for Justice

Bill Lickiss, Q.G.M.
Minister for Survey, Valuation and Urban & Regional Affairs John Greenwood, BA, LL.B.

Fifth Ministry

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On 16 December 1977, following the 1977 election on 12 November, the Ministry was reconstituted. Due to the death of Keith Hooper on 23 August 1977, there was a vacancy in the outgoing ministry, to which Charles Porter was appointed.[9]

A number of minor changes occurred:

  • John Herbert resigned from Parliament on 13 September 1978 due to terminally ill health. Sam Doumany was appointed to replace him in the cabinet and as Minister for Welfare on 2 October 1978.
  • On 9 October 1978, Llew Edwards replaced William Knox as leader of the Liberal Party and hence Deputy Premier of Queensland. On 15 December 1978, they swapped portfolios, with Knox becoming Minister for Health and Edwards becoming Treasurer.
  • On 31 July 1979, Max Hodges resigned from Parliament, and on 21 August 1978, Tom Newbery resigned from the ministry. Max Hooper and Ivan Gibbs were appointed to replace them in cabinet and in their roles on 24 August 1978.
  • On 17 August 1980, Ron Camm resigned from Parliament to become chairman of the Sugar Board. Russ Hinze and Vic Sullivan added his cabinet roles to their responsibilities, while Mike Ahern was appointed to the cabinet vacancy.
Office Minister

Premier

Joh Bjelke-Petersen

Deputy Premier (until 9 October 1978)
Treasurer (until 15 December 1978)
Minister for Health (from 15 December 1978)

William Knox

Minister for Mines and Energy
Minister for Police
Minister for Maritime Services (1–24 August 1980)
Minister for Tourism (1–24 August 1980)

Ron Camm
(until 17 July 1980)

Minister for Labour Relations

Fred Campbell

Minister for Welfare

John Herbert

Minister for Primary Industries (until 17 July 1980)
Minister for Mines and Energy (from 17 July 1980)

Vic Sullivan

Minister for Maritime Services
Minister for Tourism

Max Hodges
(until 31 July 1979)

Minister for Lands and Forestry
Minister for Water Resources

Nev Hewitt, M.M., A.F.M.

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Main Roads
Minister for Police (from 17 July 1980)

Russ Hinze
Minister for Culture, National Parks and Recreation Tom Newbery
(until 21 August 1979)
Minister for Transport Ken Tomkins

Minister for Health (until 15 December 1978)
Deputy Premier (from 9 October 1978)
Treasurer (from 15 December 1978)

Llew Edwards, MBBS
Minister for Education Val Bird
Minister for Industry and Administrative Services Norm Lee

Minister for Works
Minister for Housing

Claude Wharton

Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Minister for Welfare (14 September—2 October 1978)

Bill Lickiss
Minister for Survey, Valuation John Greenwood, BA, LL.B.
Minister for Aboriginal and Island Affairs Charles Porter
Minister for Welfare Sam Doumany
(from 2 October 1978)

Minister for Maritime Services
Minister for Tourism

Max Hooper
(from 24 August 1979)
Minister for Culture, National Parks and Recreation Ivan Gibbs
(from 24 August 1979)
Minister for Primary Industries Mike Ahern
(from 17 July 1980)

Sixth Ministry

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Seventh Ministry

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Eighth Ministry

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On 1 December 1986, following the 1986 election on 1 November, the Ministry was reconstituted by the Governor, Walter Campbell, and served until the Ahern Ministry was sworn in on 1 December 1987. Neil Turner left Parliament, and Paul Clauson was appointed to the resulting cabinet vacancy.[10] As with the Seventh Ministry, all cabinet members were members of the National Party.

On 25 November 1987, Bjelke-Petersen dismissed three ministers and appointed replacements. The following day, a meeting of 48 of the 49 National members was convened, and a spill motion was carried 39–8, after which a ballot was held for the leadership, which was won by Mike Ahern. Ahern phoned the Governor and arranged to forward a document signed by 47 members to Government House supporting his leadership. On 1 December, after significant pressure and realising his position, Bjelke-Petersen resigned, and an hour later, all ministers' commissions were terminated and a two-man Ahern Ministry was sworn in.[11][12]

Office Minister

Premier
Treasurer

Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG

Deputy Premier
Minister Assisting the Treasurer
Minister for Police

Bill Gunn

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Main Roads
Minister for Racing

Russ Hinze

Minister for Works
Minister for Housing
Minister for Industry (from 25 November 1987)

Ivan Gibbs

Minister for Health
Minister for the Environment

Mike Ahern, BAgrSc
(until 25 November 1987)
Minister for Transport Don Lane
Minister for Lands, Forestry, Mapping and Surveying Bill Glasson

Minister for Mines and Energy
Minister for the Arts

Brian Austin
(until 25 November 1987)

Minister for Education
Minister for Training and Technology (from 25 November 1987)

Lin Powell
Minister for Employment, Small Business and Industrial Affairs Vince Lester
Minister for Water Resources and Maritime Services Martin Tenni
Minister for Primary Industries Neville Harper
Minister for Tourism, National Parks and Sport Geoff Muntz
Minister for Industry and Technology Peter McKechnie
(until 25 November 1987)
Minister for Northern Development and Community Services Bob Katter
Minister for Family Services, Youth and Ethnic Affairs Yvonne Chapman
Minister for Corrective Services, Administrative Services and Valuation Don Neal

Attorney-General
Minister for Justice

Paul Clauson

Minister for Mines and Energy
Minister for the Arts

Gordon Simpson
(from 25 November 1987)

Minister for Health
Minister for the Environment

Kev Lingard, BA, Dip.Ed.
(from 25 November 1987)

Notes

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  1. ^ When the ministry was sworn in, the party's name was known as the "Country Party". After undergoing two changes, the party was known as the "National Party" by the time the cabinet was dissolved.

References

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  1. ^ Bjelke-Petersen, J., Premier (20 August 1968). "Ministerial Statement: Appointment of Ministry" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Parliament of Queensland: Legislative Assembly. p. 5.
  2. ^ "Extraordinary". Queensland Government Gazette. 8 August 1968. p. 228:1597–1601.
  3. ^ Bjelke-Petersen, J., Premier (7 August 1969). "Ministerial Statement: Appointment of Ministry" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Parliament of Queensland: Legislative Assembly. pp. 21–22.
  4. ^ "Extraordinary". Queensland Government Gazette. 29 May 1969. p. 231:563–567.
  5. ^ Bjelke-Petersen, J., Premier (9 September 1969). "Ministerial Statement: Ministry" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Parliament of Queensland: Legislative Assembly. p. 411.
  6. ^ "Proclamation". Queensland Government Gazette. 20 June 1972. p. 240:971–974.
  7. ^ "Proclamation". Queensland Government Gazette. 23 December 1974. p. 247:1629–1632.
  8. ^ Bjelke-Petersen, Premier (25 August 1976). "Ministerial Statement: Changes in Ministry" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Parliament of Queensland: Legislative Assembly. p. 6.
  9. ^ "Proclamation". Queensland Government Gazette. 16 December 1977. p. 256:1533–1535.
  10. ^ Bjelke-Petersen, Sir Joh, Premier (19 February 1987). "Ministerial Statement: Appointment of Ministry" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Parliament of Queensland: Legislative Assembly. pp. 42–44.
  11. ^ Coaldrake, Peter (August 1988). "Australian Political Chronicle: July–December 1987, Queensland". Australian Journal of Politics and History. 34 (2): 240. ISSN 0004-9522.
  12. ^ Ahern, Michael, Premier (2 December 1987). "Ministerial Statement: Changes in Ministry" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Parliament of Queensland: Legislative Assembly. p. 4802.
Preceded by Bjelke-Petersen Ministry
1968–1987
Succeeded by