Bill Gunn
Encyclopedia
William Angus Manson Gunn OAM
(22 June 1920—21 September 2001) was an Australian politician who represented the Queensland
Legislative Assembly
seat of Somerset from 1972 until 1992. A member of the National Party
, he also served as a Minister and Deputy Premier
in various Queensland administrations during the 1980s, and was instrumental in establishing the Fitzgerald Inquiry
.
in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane
, Queensland
, the youngest of seven children to Ewen William Gunn and his wife Rosia (née Geismann). He attended Laidley North Primary School and Gatton High School, and played representative rugby league
football for Ipswich in the Bulimba Cup competition. At 21, he joined the Freemasons' Lodge, in which he was heavily involved until the start of his political career.
During World War II
, he served in the First Cavalry Mobile Veterinary Service at Gympie
, where he developed his knowledge of veterinary practice, which he continued privately after the war. On 12 April 1952, he married Lorna Klibbe, who he had met working in a local cafe. They were to have five children and, ultimately, 17 grandchildren.
On 20 July 1966, Gunn was appointed to a vacancy on the Laidley Shire Council
, and on 10 April 1970, he became Chairman of the Shire, a role in which he served until 1973.
At the 1972 state election, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly
seat of Somerset, which covered much of the Lockyer Valley. After the 1980 state election
, he became Minister of Education on 23 December 1980. On 6 December 1982, he vacated this role in order that Lin Powell could enter the ministry, and took on the new portfolio of Commerce and Industry. On 18 August, following a split in the Coalition
which saw all Liberal
members removed from the Ministry, Gunn was promoted to Deputy Premier
. He was also the Minister assisting the Treasurer. On 6 February 1986, he replaced Bill Glasson as Minister for Police, and served as the Queensland representative on the National Crime Authority.
During the Joh for Canberra
campaign being planned by Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen
and a number of his supporters, Gunn assumed control and chaired cabinet meetings on a number of occasions. He was explicitly favoured by Bjelke-Petersen to succeed himself as Premier. However, concerns about corruption in the police force had been aired on Four Corners (in Chris Masters
' "Moonlight State", aired on 11 May 1987) and in other media including the state newspaper The Courier-Mail
. Gunn, who was described by the Courier-Mail as an "honest and thoroughly decent politician", wanted the allegations investigated and on 26 May 1987, at a meeting chaired by Gunn, the government agreed to a commission of inquiry which came to be known as the Fitzgerald Inquiry
. The hearings began two months later and ultimately were to prove the undoing of the conservative government which had been in power for over 30 years. Furthermore, Gunn also renominated Sir Robert Sparkes
, by this stage not on good terms with Bjelke-Petersen, to another term as party president.
Bjelke-Petersen had been forced to name a retirement date of 8 August 1988, and at the Townsville conference of the National Party in November 1987, delegates approved Sparkes's position with regard to a number of issues, and rebuffed that of Bjelke-Petersen. Gunn told the Courier-Mail on 8 November that Sir Joh was "out of time" and that he should "go fishing, have a rest and do a fair bit of thinking". On 23–24 November, Bjelke-Petersen visited the Governor of Queensland Sir Walter Campbell, attempting to have five ministers sacked—including Gunn for alleged disloyalty in nominating Sparkes as party president—and seeking support for an early election. The Governor, however, received advice from Gunn and fellow ministers Mike Ahern
and Brian Austin
that Bjelke-Petersen no longer had parliamentary support. He therefore interpreted the crisis as a political rather than constitutional one, and declined to intervene, suggesting the party room should resolve it. On 26 November, a caucus meeting was called to replace Bjelke-Petersen as leader—a spill motion was carried 39 votes to 8, and Ahern won the leadership with 30 votes to Gunn's 16 and Russ Hinze
's 2. Gunn won the deputy leadership unopposed.
Bjelke-Petersen finally stepped down on 1 December 1987. Ahern and Gunn then each assumed eight portfolios temporarily while the process of choosing a new Cabinet was undertaken, and on 9 December, Gunn was appointed Deputy Premier, Minister for Public Works, Main Roads, Police and the World Expo 88 to be held in Brisbane. Among other things, he was responsible for a multi-million dollar program to help local councils develop regional road infrastructure, and getting bullet-proof vests as standard issue for police officers. On 25 September, following Russell Cooper's ascension to the premiership, he became Minister for Finance and Local Government.
The National Party was defeated at the December 1989 elections by the Labor Party
led by Wayne Goss
. Gunn's seat of Somerset was abolished in a redistribution designed to end the so-called Bjelkemander
which had malapportioned seats in favour of country areas, and he retired at the 1992 election. His daughter Helen married a man from Badu Island in the Torres Strait
, and Gunn visited the islands many times, developing a love for the islands and their people, culture and history.
On 21 September 2001, he died at the Gatton Hospital and was buried privately after a State funeral at the Laidley Cultural Centre six days later.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(22 June 1920—21 September 2001) was an Australian politician who represented the Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
Legislative Assembly
Queensland Legislative Assembly
The Queensland Legislative Assembly is the unicameral chamber of the Parliament of Queensland. Elections are held approximately once every three years. Voting is by the Optional Preferential Voting form of the Alternative Vote system...
seat of Somerset from 1972 until 1992. A member of the National Party
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
, he also served as a Minister and Deputy Premier
Deputy Premier of Queensland
The Deputy Premier of Queensland is a role in the Government of Queensland assigned to a responsible Minister in the Australian state of Queensland. It has second ranking behind the Premier of Queensland in Cabinet, and its holder serves as Acting Premier during absence or incapacity of the Premier...
in various Queensland administrations during the 1980s, and was instrumental in establishing the Fitzgerald Inquiry
Fitzgerald Inquiry
The Fitzgerald Inquiry into Queensland Police corruption was a judicial inquiry presided over by Tony Fitzgerald QC. The inquiry resulted in the deposition of a premier, two by-elections, the jailing of three former ministers and a police commissioner who was jailed and lost his...
.
Biography
Gunn was born in LaidleyLaidley, Queensland
Laidley is a town situated in the Lockyer Valley of South East Queensland, Australia. The township lies 83 km west of Brisbane, the state capital....
in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, the youngest of seven children to Ewen William Gunn and his wife Rosia (née Geismann). He attended Laidley North Primary School and Gatton High School, and played representative rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
football for Ipswich in the Bulimba Cup competition. At 21, he joined the Freemasons' Lodge, in which he was heavily involved until the start of his political career.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served in the First Cavalry Mobile Veterinary Service at Gympie
Gympie
Gympie may refer to:* Gympie, a city in Queensland, Australia** Gympie Airport** Electoral district of Gympie** Gympie Region, its local government authority* Gympie Gympie , a stinging plant...
, where he developed his knowledge of veterinary practice, which he continued privately after the war. On 12 April 1952, he married Lorna Klibbe, who he had met working in a local cafe. They were to have five children and, ultimately, 17 grandchildren.
On 20 July 1966, Gunn was appointed to a vacancy on the Laidley Shire Council
Shire of Laidley
The Shire of Laidley was a Local Government Area located in the Lockyer Valley region between the cities of Toowoomba and Ipswich, and about west of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia...
, and on 10 April 1970, he became Chairman of the Shire, a role in which he served until 1973.
At the 1972 state election, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly
Queensland Legislative Assembly
The Queensland Legislative Assembly is the unicameral chamber of the Parliament of Queensland. Elections are held approximately once every three years. Voting is by the Optional Preferential Voting form of the Alternative Vote system...
seat of Somerset, which covered much of the Lockyer Valley. After the 1980 state election
Queensland state election, 1980
Elections were held in the Australian state of Queensland on 29 November 1980 to elect the 82 members of the state's Legislative Assembly.The election resulted in a fifth consecutive victory for the National-Liberal Coalition under Joh Bjelke-Petersen...
, he became Minister of Education on 23 December 1980. On 6 December 1982, he vacated this role in order that Lin Powell could enter the ministry, and took on the new portfolio of Commerce and Industry. On 18 August, following a split in the Coalition
Coalition (Australia)
The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a group of centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922...
which saw all Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
members removed from the Ministry, Gunn was promoted to Deputy Premier
Deputy Premier of Queensland
The Deputy Premier of Queensland is a role in the Government of Queensland assigned to a responsible Minister in the Australian state of Queensland. It has second ranking behind the Premier of Queensland in Cabinet, and its holder serves as Acting Premier during absence or incapacity of the Premier...
. He was also the Minister assisting the Treasurer. On 6 February 1986, he replaced Bill Glasson as Minister for Police, and served as the Queensland representative on the National Crime Authority.
During the Joh for Canberra
Joh for Canberra
The Joh for Canberra or Joh for PM campaign was an attempt by the Queensland branch of the National Party of Australia to install Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen as Prime Minister of Australia....
campaign being planned by Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Sir Johannes "Joh" Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG , was an Australian politician. He was the longest-serving and longest-lived Premier of Queensland, holding office from 1968 to 1987, a period that saw considerable economic development in the state...
and a number of his supporters, Gunn assumed control and chaired cabinet meetings on a number of occasions. He was explicitly favoured by Bjelke-Petersen to succeed himself as Premier. However, concerns about corruption in the police force had been aired on Four Corners (in Chris Masters
Chris Masters (writer)
Christopher "Chris" Wayne Masters PSM is a multi-Walkley Award winning and Logie Award winning Australian journalist and author.-Life:Chris Masters was born in Grafton, New South Wales...
' "Moonlight State", aired on 11 May 1987) and in other media including the state newspaper The Courier-Mail
The Courier-Mail
The Courier-Mail is a daily newspaper published in Brisbane, Australia. Owned by News Limited, it is published daily from Monday to Saturday in tabloid format. Its editorial offices are located at Bowen Hills, in Brisbane's inner northern suburbs, and it is printed at Murarrie, in Brisbane's...
. Gunn, who was described by the Courier-Mail as an "honest and thoroughly decent politician", wanted the allegations investigated and on 26 May 1987, at a meeting chaired by Gunn, the government agreed to a commission of inquiry which came to be known as the Fitzgerald Inquiry
Fitzgerald Inquiry
The Fitzgerald Inquiry into Queensland Police corruption was a judicial inquiry presided over by Tony Fitzgerald QC. The inquiry resulted in the deposition of a premier, two by-elections, the jailing of three former ministers and a police commissioner who was jailed and lost his...
. The hearings began two months later and ultimately were to prove the undoing of the conservative government which had been in power for over 30 years. Furthermore, Gunn also renominated Sir Robert Sparkes
Robert Sparkes
Sir Robert Lyndley Sparkes was born in Dalby, Queensland, the son of Sir James Sparkes. He was president of the Queensland National Party from 1970 to 1990....
, by this stage not on good terms with Bjelke-Petersen, to another term as party president.
Bjelke-Petersen had been forced to name a retirement date of 8 August 1988, and at the Townsville conference of the National Party in November 1987, delegates approved Sparkes's position with regard to a number of issues, and rebuffed that of Bjelke-Petersen. Gunn told the Courier-Mail on 8 November that Sir Joh was "out of time" and that he should "go fishing, have a rest and do a fair bit of thinking". On 23–24 November, Bjelke-Petersen visited the Governor of Queensland Sir Walter Campbell, attempting to have five ministers sacked—including Gunn for alleged disloyalty in nominating Sparkes as party president—and seeking support for an early election. The Governor, however, received advice from Gunn and fellow ministers Mike Ahern
Michael Ahern (Australian politician)
Michael John Ahern AO is a former Queensland National Party politician who was Premier of Queensland from December 1987 to September 1989. After a long career in the government of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Ahern became his successor amidst the controversy caused by the Fitzgerald Inquiry into...
and Brian Austin
Brian Austin
Brian Austin was a Queensland politician and Minister of Health who represented the state seat of Wavell for the Liberal Party and then for the National Party...
that Bjelke-Petersen no longer had parliamentary support. He therefore interpreted the crisis as a political rather than constitutional one, and declined to intervene, suggesting the party room should resolve it. On 26 November, a caucus meeting was called to replace Bjelke-Petersen as leader—a spill motion was carried 39 votes to 8, and Ahern won the leadership with 30 votes to Gunn's 16 and Russ Hinze
Russ Hinze
The Hon. Russell James "Russ" Hinze , born in Oxenford on the Gold Coast, was a Queensland politician in the 1970s and 1980s. He presided over an era of controversy that included the setting up of the Racing Development Fund, ministerial rezonings and the licensing of Jupiters Casino...
's 2. Gunn won the deputy leadership unopposed.
Bjelke-Petersen finally stepped down on 1 December 1987. Ahern and Gunn then each assumed eight portfolios temporarily while the process of choosing a new Cabinet was undertaken, and on 9 December, Gunn was appointed Deputy Premier, Minister for Public Works, Main Roads, Police and the World Expo 88 to be held in Brisbane. Among other things, he was responsible for a multi-million dollar program to help local councils develop regional road infrastructure, and getting bullet-proof vests as standard issue for police officers. On 25 September, following Russell Cooper's ascension to the premiership, he became Minister for Finance and Local Government.
The National Party was defeated at the December 1989 elections by the Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
led by Wayne Goss
Wayne Goss
Wayne Keith Goss was Premier of Queensland from 7 December 1989 until 19 February 1996.-Early life:He was born at Mundubbera, Queensland and educated at Inala High School and the University of Queensland...
. Gunn's seat of Somerset was abolished in a redistribution designed to end the so-called Bjelkemander
Bjelkemander
The Bjelkemander was the term given to a system of malapportionment in the Australian State of Queensland in the 1970s and 1980s. Under the system, electorates were allocated to zones such as rural or metropolitan and electoral boundaries drawn so that rural electorates had about half as many...
which had malapportioned seats in favour of country areas, and he retired at the 1992 election. His daughter Helen married a man from Badu Island in the Torres Strait
Torres Strait
The Torres Strait is a body of water which lies between Australia and the Melanesian island of New Guinea. It is approximately wide at its narrowest extent. To the south is Cape York Peninsula, the northernmost continental extremity of the Australian state of Queensland...
, and Gunn visited the islands many times, developing a love for the islands and their people, culture and history.
On 21 September 2001, he died at the Gatton Hospital and was buried privately after a State funeral at the Laidley Cultural Centre six days later.