How long could Sir Johannes "Joh" Bjelke-Petersen have remained premier of Queensland?
Given his nature and the 'style' of government in Queensland, and the impact it had on shaping the state, how long could he last as Premier with a reasonable point of departure?
Once the Fitzgerald Inquiry starts, I believe its far to late, however he could have continued on into the 1990s until his health declined if:
-He was not out of the state when the ABC airs "The Moonlight State" on Four Corners, which means that Bill Gunn as acting premier doesn't announce an enquiry;
-No changes that came out of the Fitzgerald Inquiry are going to happen, so the electorate remains gerrymandered massively in favour of the Nationals who can govern without the need of Liberal support.
Does the collapse of communism in Europe change things (much harder to use the Red Scare)
-What projects/developments are begun, given Sir Johs development, exploitive and growth economic emphasis, yet corrupt and shady operations (Dean Brothers etc);
-Do the police ever clean up their massive corruption without Fitzgerald or something similar, or does Terry Lewis & Co. continue unabated?
If Sir Joh continues, could he parachute his son into a safe seat and groom him as his successor? John Bjelke-Petersen would be in his late 30's by the early 1990s, and maybe Sir Robert Sparks, if still the President of the National Party continue as the backroom 'glue' that held the party together for a while longer, create a political dynasty?
Given his nature and the 'style' of government in Queensland, and the impact it had on shaping the state, how long could he last as Premier with a reasonable point of departure?
Once the Fitzgerald Inquiry starts, I believe its far to late, however he could have continued on into the 1990s until his health declined if:
-He was not out of the state when the ABC airs "The Moonlight State" on Four Corners, which means that Bill Gunn as acting premier doesn't announce an enquiry;
-No changes that came out of the Fitzgerald Inquiry are going to happen, so the electorate remains gerrymandered massively in favour of the Nationals who can govern without the need of Liberal support.
Does the collapse of communism in Europe change things (much harder to use the Red Scare)
-What projects/developments are begun, given Sir Johs development, exploitive and growth economic emphasis, yet corrupt and shady operations (Dean Brothers etc);
-Do the police ever clean up their massive corruption without Fitzgerald or something similar, or does Terry Lewis & Co. continue unabated?
If Sir Joh continues, could he parachute his son into a safe seat and groom him as his successor? John Bjelke-Petersen would be in his late 30's by the early 1990s, and maybe Sir Robert Sparks, if still the President of the National Party continue as the backroom 'glue' that held the party together for a while longer, create a political dynasty?
