The annual release of Queensland government Cabinet minutes under the 30-year rule is always a treat for me.
It's done in early December each year, but embargoed until January 1. The story ban is not an issue, because it gives journalists time to compile their retro "blast from the past" stories for release on New Year's Day, and because the State Archives always put on a killer morning tea after the media conference.
So because of my acceptance of a scone-with-cream bribe, I cannot tell you about all of the juicy details of government goings-on in 1979. I cannot tell you whether or not infamous "Minister for Everything" Russ Hinze was up to anything dodgy. You'll just have to take a guess.
Anyway, Public Works Minister Rob Schwarten, who's a bit of a history buff and does the announcement every year, was talking about various bits and bobs when he mentioned a particular bumper sticker that could sometimes be seen on the cars during the later years of the Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen era (Administration? Regime? Brown-paper bag gerrymandering dictatorship?).
He refused to say what it was in the conference, only that it was too rude. But later, over that delicious spread of crustless wholewheat chicken-and-mayo sandwiches and blueberry muffins, Schwarto leaned over to a few of us journos and said softly:
"Flo has one, Joh IS one."
Sure beats "My Karma Ran Over Your Dogma".
I think "regime" is pretty widely used these days, even by relatively friendly commentators. "Administration" suggests they actually administered the state, whereas the evidence suggests they let the public service do that while they focus on graft opportunities and bashing hippies.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were at the Ms Nat I recall being sent an email with the 25th year anniversary photo presentation attached. In it was a photo of Joh in the offices of FM104...he was on the phone with all his minions hovering behind him. They all looked scared shitless...I always imagined he was probably applying the metaphorical jack boot to someone's thoat! I think I still have it saved on this computer if you'd like to see it.
ReplyDeleteDamian
ReplyDeleteThats what public servants are for.
If the pollies butted out everything would run a lot smoother.
Gaz
ps guess where I work
lol
ReplyDeletecoming from the brain dead drunk schwarten..
hilarious!!!
ooh anna
now the most disliked premier in qld history..
a so-called regime is much better than these typical loony left wing unflushable labor turds..
Oh look, the Ranting Right Retard rears his angry angry head.
ReplyDelete"Blah Blah Blah, Loony Left, Blah Blah Blah, Turd, Blah Blah Blah, KRudd, Blah Blah Blah, Feminazi, Blah Blah Blah, I don't like black people, Blah Blah Blah, I'm scared of things I don't understand... which is most things"
Back in your box, Ranty McRant-Pants, the adults are trying to have a conversation. You have been dribbling so much toxic sh*t your chin is permenantely stained brown.
Oh look, a shoot and scoot random bag 'o' shit. Someone who uses "Ranty McRants-Pants" and then claims to be an adult...or are you talking about you mummy and da-da, little boy?
ReplyDeleteSorry Ranty Mcrants Pants. Hated on the wrong person.
ReplyDeletethe anti slip slop slurper:
Fuck you.
You know you are writing a good blog when it goads the fruit-and-nut bars to wiggle out of the woodwork.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt scare the hell outta me to realise that I was politically active in this year. I was nearly arrested in Brisbane for being at an illegal march.. I copped a bit of a flogging instead of arrest...
ReplyDelete