Labor politician held state’s top job from 1989 to 1996, ending 32 years of the old National party’s rule in Queensland
- Australian Associated Press
Former Queensland premier Wayne Goss has died, Labor party sources say.
Goss had been in ill health in recent years and had undergone surgery for brain tumours. He was 63.
In December 1989, he became Queensland’s first Labor premier in 32 years, ending the old National party’s long grip on power that had been dominated by Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.
Among his reforms were ending the gerrymander, decriminalising homosexuality and introducing a raft of protection measures to safeguard Queensland’s natural environment.
He kept the top job until February 1996, when the Mundingburra by-election caused Labor to lose its majority and power on the floor of parliament.
Goss had been preselected to run against maverick independent Pauline Hanson at the 1998 federal election but his first brain tumour ended that career option.
Terry Mackenroth, who was a minister in the Goss government and served as deputy premier and treasurer under Peter Beattie, said he last spoke to Mr Goss a few months ago.
He said he was deeply saddened to hear of the death of the former premier, who would be remembered for his reforms.
“He was a good premier, he brought a great deal of discipline to government and he brought in many reforms that are still in place today,” Mackenroth said.
“His reforms put us in good stead for many years to come.”
Former Labor minister Robert Schwarten, who was a backbencher in the Goss government, said Goss died overnight and had been in poor health in recent years.
He is survived by his wife Roisin and two adult children Ryan and Caitlin.
More details soon …
Goss had been in ill health in recent years and had undergone surgery for brain tumours. He was 63.
In December 1989, he became Queensland’s first Labor premier in 32 years, ending the old National party’s long grip on power that had been dominated by Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.
Among his reforms were ending the gerrymander, decriminalising homosexuality and introducing a raft of protection measures to safeguard Queensland’s natural environment.
He kept the top job until February 1996, when the Mundingburra by-election caused Labor to lose its majority and power on the floor of parliament.
Goss had been preselected to run against maverick independent Pauline Hanson at the 1998 federal election but his first brain tumour ended that career option.
Terry Mackenroth, who was a minister in the Goss government and served as deputy premier and treasurer under Peter Beattie, said he last spoke to Mr Goss a few months ago.
He said he was deeply saddened to hear of the death of the former premier, who would be remembered for his reforms.
“He was a good premier, he brought a great deal of discipline to government and he brought in many reforms that are still in place today,” Mackenroth said.
“His reforms put us in good stead for many years to come.”
Former Labor minister Robert Schwarten, who was a backbencher in the Goss government, said Goss died overnight and had been in poor health in recent years.
He is survived by his wife Roisin and two adult children Ryan and Caitlin.
More details soon …
No comments:
Post a Comment