Qld: Major events since last Qld election

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2006
Qld: Major events since last Qld election

Queensland Politics Timeline:

Major events since last state election on February 7, 2004.

March 2004: Premier Peter Beattie calls independent review of power facilities after
blackouts. Winegate scandal triggers Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) and police
probe.

April 2004: ALP state secretary Cameron Milner resigns. CMC report clears government
over Winegate.

June 2004: First budget surplus in four years.

July 2004: Citrus canker scare in central Queensland.

Aug 2004: Ministerial reshuffle. John Mickel becomes energy minister, surrenders environment.

Sept 2004: Energex chief Greg Maddock commits suicide - inquiry later clears him of
misconduct regarding expenses; other Energex directors quit. Tough new anti-smoking laws.

Oct 2004 - Queensland Liberals help Prime Minister John Howard to a fourth federal
election triumph.

Nov 2004: Former coalition leaders Rob Borbidge and Joan Sheldon call for unity. Riots
on Palm Island over death in custody.

Dec 2004: PM says no to state-based coalition merger. Liddy Clark reimburses taxpayers
for airfare to Palm Island for Murrandoo Yanner.

Jan 2005: Beattie approval hits 62 per cent, Opposition leader Lawrence Springborg's
drops to 39 per cent. Federal Labor leader Mark Latham resigns.

Feb 2005: Anger over paedophile Dennis Ferguson's release into community. Nationals
make early call for state candidates. Beattie apologises over Cornelia Rau scandal. Liberals
reject one party plan.

March 2005: Liddy Clark quits as indigenous affairs minister over Palm Island scandal;
John Mickel sworn in. Speaker Ray Hollis fails to account for overseas trip and alcohol
for entertainment. Scandal erupts over Dr Jayant Patel ("Dr Death").

April 2005: Joh Bjelke-Petersen dies aged 94. Top barrister Tony Morris heads Dr Death
inquiry. Beattie's $55 billion South East Qld infrastructure plan unveiled. Speaker holidays
in NZ while on sick leave.

May 2005: Speaker stands aside over expenses scandal. Tougher water restrictions for
south east. Dr Death inquiry starts.

June 2005: Eighth Budget has record capital works program and surplus. Interim report
finds Dr Patel should be charged. Labor starts looking for state election candidates.

Opposition seeks inquiry into Health Minister Gordon Nuttall bullying claims. Latham autobiography
says Beattie and other state Labor premiers are "A-grade arseholes".

July 2005: Hollis cleared of expenses rorts. Nuttall referred to inquiry over lying
about his knowledge of problems associated with overseas-trained doctors. Hollis quits
for health reasons. Nuttall steps down as health minister, replaced by Stephen Robertson.

Treasurer Terry Mackenroth retires. Palm Island inquiry clears police of wrongdoing. Cabinet
reshuffle.

August 2005: By-elections in Redcliffe and Chatsworth, won by Liberals. Interim report
into health system by Peter Forster finds shortage of doctors and other problems. Tony
McGrady elected new Speaker. Lesley Clark and Nita Cunningham announce retirement at next
election. Premier ditches some responsibilities to focus on health. Nuttall steps aside
from primary industries portfolio. Tony Morris steps aside from Dr Death inquiry after
bias ruling.

Sept 2005: Former Queensland Court of Appeal judge, Justice Geoff Davies, heads Dr
Death probe. Beattie's personal rating dips below 50 per cent for first time since 1998.

Government pledges to publish hospital record cards. Forster report recommends health
spending boost.

Oct 2005: Mini budget boosts health spending by $6.4 billion over five years. Nuttall
reinstated. Morgan poll puts Labor on 56.5 per cent two-party preferred.

Nov 2005: Queensland Liberal leader Bob Quinn investigated over allegations he offered
a $60,000 bribe to independent MP Elisa Roberts. CMC Dr Death report calls for charges
against health bureaucrats.

Dec 2005: Nuttall resigns as minister.

Jan 2006: Caboolture hospital emergency department debacle. Quinn cleared of bribery.

Feb 2006: "Invisible Man" Bob Poole quits as Labor MP for Gold Coast seat of Gaven
due to ill health.

March 2006: Cyclone Larry devastates Innisfail.

April 2006: Gaven by-election win for Nationals.

May 2006: Springborg renews push for Coalition party merger, only to call it off after
PM opposes.

June 2006: Liberals and Nationals rule out three cornered contests. Budget delivers
surplus and big spending promises. More water restrictions.

July 2006: Beattie announces 2008 referendum on drinking recycled water, as Toowoomba
rejects it. Premier challenges councils to co-operate on water.

August 2006: Beattie reaches deal with mayors on water grid. Nita Cunningham retires
before election. Dr Bruce Flegg takes Liberal leadership.

Aug 15 2006 - Beattie calls early election for Sept 9.

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KEYWORD: POLL QLD TIMELINE (FACTBOX)

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