WHERE WAS THE WATCHDOG? - Part Two cont'd

CHAPTER 14 - TROTTING RIGGING


Background

In 1974 there were allegations that some Queensland trotting races had been fixed. A Victorian Inquiry had given cause for police there to be concerned about a number of criminals on the fringe of trotting. For three months in Queensland large stakes had been placed at certain TAB (totalisator betting) shops on selected doubles and trebles, winning at good odds, such as $1600 to win $8900. In late August 1974 a number of men were disqualified from trotting for a year. They included Australia's leading trainer-driver Brian Pelling, trainer Noel Croghan, and trainer-driver Rod Belford, who between them had shared all drivers' and trainers' premierships at Albion Park since the introduction of night trotting there six years earlier in September 1968. Pelling was president of Queensland Professional Horsemen's Association. Belford was on the committee. It was alleged on radio that the sport's top administrator, the trotting board chairman, had placed a heavy bet on the winner of one of the races which had resulted in a disqualification. It was not explained if the chairman was a Government appointee. All this culminated in the unusual situation of not only the Opposition asking a question in Parliament but also a Government backbencher being concerned enough to ask for an inquiry into the sport. 

The issue received coverage from August 21, 1974, to September 8, 1974, and amounted to 10 sports stories, three news stories and a column.

Coverage 

20-8-74 Tele p21 trotting column 31 pars 
     On Sunday Queensland Professional Horsemen's Association elected officers for the coming year, including Brian Pelling as president and Rodney Belford as one of five committee members.

21-8-78 CM racing supplement column five pars 
     Albion Park stewards this Saturday night will resume inquiries into the running of Kel Brigade and Tiramic in last week's Queensland Stakes (2510m). Kel Brigade (Rod Belford) finished second and Tiramic (Brian Pelling) finished third. The event was won by the Jim Croghan trained and driven Peace Song (5-4 favourite). 

23-8-74 CM p15 sport story six pars - Matraven quiz adjourned
      Gold Coast trots stewards have adjourned an inquiry into the running of the Noel Croghan-trained Matraven. Matraven, a Coast winner on Wednesday night, was fourth at her previous Coast run on August 14. Stewards opened a retrospective inquiry into fourth place, also interviewing son Ross Croghan who drove the mare in both races.

26-8-74 CM p13 sport story 30 pars - Disgusted Belford will sell quarters
     Leading reinsman Brian Pelling said last night he would appeal against the 12 month disqualification imposed by Albion Park stewards on Saturday. But a second top driver-trainer, Rod Belford, also disqualified for 12 months, said he would not appeal. Last season Pelling was Australia's leading trainer-driver with 107 wins. He said if his appeal failed he would close his 30-acre property with its 100 horses. Belford said he had taken 30 years to reach the point where last season he was second to Pelling in last year's Albion Park premiership. Both pleaded not guilty to failing to allow their horses to run on their merits.

26-8-74 Tele p26 sport story 11 pars - TRAINER BELFORD TO LODGE APPEAL
     Leading trotting trainer Rod Belford has decided to appeal against his 12 months disqualification by Queensland Trotting Board stewards. He said: 'I have given a lot of thought since Saturday night to the plight of my clients and have decided I should appeal for their sakes. I don't think it's fair to them to give up without a struggle.' Belford was disqualified on Saturday night at Albion Park after an inquiry into the running and handling of Kel Brigade at a recent Albion Park meeting. Last season's top driver, Brian Pelling, was disqualified, also for 12 months, on a similar charge over the pacer Tiramic on Saturday night. Both horses were engaged in the race won by Peace Song. Pelling has indicated that he also will appeal against his disqualification.

27-8-74 CM p17 sport story six pars - Belford decides on trot appeal
     Belford has decided to appeal.

28-8-74 CM p21 sport story 21 pars - Another 2 out for year in trotting
     Queensland Trotting Board stewards yesterday disqualified leading father-son combination Noel and Ross Croghan for 12 months over the running of Matraven on August 14. "Noel Croghan, Pelling and Belford have shared all drivers' and trainers' premierships at Albion Park since the introduction of night trotting at the Creek in September 1968." The two Croghans had pleaded not guilty to not allowing the horse to run on its merits and lodged immediate written appeals. The price of the horse had eased from 2-1 to 10-1 on the 14th but had firmed from 5-1 to 7-4 when it won.

28-8-74 Tele p13 news story nine pars - Concern at trots criminals
     "Police were concerned about a number of criminals on the fringe of trotting in Victoria, the Crime Commissioner, Mr. W. D. Crowley, said today." This followed a 10-week police investigation into allegations of race fixing.

28-8-74 Tele p50 sport story 12 pars - Redcliffe will retain level
     "Redcliffe Trotting Club will do all in its power to retain present prize money level - highest of any Queensland provincial club." (The last two paragraphs of the story contained different subject matter - "Queensland Trotting Board stewards have disqualified trainer Noel Croghan and his son Ross for 12 months after an inquiry into the running and handling of Matraven at Southport on August 14. This move follows the disqualification of Brian Pelling and Rod Belford last Saturday."

29-8-74 CM p22 sport story 7 pars - Call for appeals tribunal
     An independent tribunal to deal with appeals by suspended trotting drivers was urged by Mr D'Arcy (ALP) in State Parliament yesterday. Today Mr Frawley (NP) will ask the Treasurer if a full-scale inquiry should be held into the trotting industry. Mr D'Arcy said four leading drivers had been suspended and the public must be asking if something was wrong. Suspended drivers were being treated worse than criminals, not being allowed representation when appealing. 

29-8-74 Tele p2 news story 14 pars - 'RIGGING CLAIMS AT TROTS'
     State Treasurer Sir Gordon Chalk said in Parliament it had been alleged that trotting races had been rigged. Large winning bets included one of $1600 which returned $8900. He rejected a call by Government backbencher Mr Frawley for a special inquiry into Queensland trotting. Mr Frawley said there appeared to be a purge on top drivers Brian Pelling, Rodney Belford and Ross Croghan, and trainer Noel Croghan, who had been disqualified for 12 months. Sir Gordon said he was aware of recent action taken by stewards after events at Albion Park, Southport and Redcliffe. "...certain drivers had been disqualified for varying periods but this action did not indicate there had been a purge". He said he was not surprised because he had received "a number of letters and anonymous telephone calls urging a clean-up in what has been described as deliberate race rigging". For three months large sums of money had been placed at certain TAB offices. "Large investments on particular horses in double and treble events had been responsible for very large pay-outs to what appeared to be very active betting syndicates...Mr Frawley also said a charge was made over a radio station that the chairman of the Trotting Board wagered heavily on the winner of one of the races which resulted in a disqualification." Sir Gordon said he knew of no sound reason for setting up an inquiry.

30-8-74 CM p2 news story 14 pars - 'Trotting bans no surprise'
     The recent disqualification of three trot drivers and a trainer came as no surprise, the State Treasurer said in Parliament yesterday. He said that in the last few weeks he had received a number of letters and anonymous phone calls. They urged a clean up of what had been called deliberate race rigging. The Treasurer said the stewards were carrying out their duties faithfully and there was no need for an inquiry. For three months very large sums of money had been placed at certain TAB offices. "Large investments on particular horses in double and treble events that had been responsible for very large pay-outs to what appeared to be very active betting syndicates." He was assured there was no truth in an allegation on a radio station that the Trotting Board chairman had wagered heavily on one of the horses involved in a recent inquiry which resulted in two drivers being disqualified.

31-8-74 SM p31 sport story 20 pars - Upset win for Addison
     (last six pars) Albion Park stewards last night questioned top reinsmen Brian Pelling and Rod Belford. Pelling drove Tiramic which finished third after easing from 9-2 to 8-1. Belford drove Kel Brigade which finished second after easing from 7-4 to 4-1 before firming to 11-4. The event was won by driver Jim Croghan.

3-9-78 Tele p21 trotting column 35 pars - Pacing Patter
     (There was no ‘patter’ about disqualifications, rigging or Parliament)

6-9-74 CM p19 sport story 13 pars - Shinn is Tense Raid's driver
     Trainer Ken Belford was suspended from driving until September 17.

8-9-74 SM p35 sport story 10 pars - Peter Cameron:
     It has been suggested by the Trotting Control Board boss Graham Cochrane that because of huge betting a police racing or betting squad should be created. He spoke after a 10-week police investigation into Victorian trotting which ranged as far as Queensland but which found no evidence to support criminal charges against Victorian trotsmen. "Brisbane trots stipes have local trotting firmly under control..."

Key point

It would appear from the Parliamentary answer by Sir Gordon Chalk on August 29 (Hansard, 1974: 408) that it was possible thousands of dollars had been swindled from the TAB over three months. He said he had been urged to clean up what had been described as deliberate race rigging. He had asked the Totalisator Administration Board to keep him advised of very large sums of money that had been placed at certain TAB offices on doubles and trebles, leading to very large payouts to what appeared to be very active syndicates. Certain drivers had been disqualified. Had the police been called in to investigate and, if so, what evidence had been discovered and was anyone likely to be charged?

Key point coverage

There was none.

Appraisal

Newspapers failed to give any coverage at all to what appeared to be an obvious key point.

Key point 2

It had been alleged on radio that the trotting board chairman had bet heavily on a race that had resulted in a disqualification. Was this true - and if so, how much had he wagered, what would he have won and had he won bets on other races which were suspected of having been fixed?

Key point coverage 

There was none.

Appraisal

To ignore one key point is unfortunate. To ignore two seems to be more than careless.

Key point 3

With the sport's top identities being disqualified for a year and the chairman's name being dragged into the affair, surely there were grounds for calling for an inquiry?

Key point coverage

The Courier-Mail on August 29 said Government backbencher Frawley would ask the State Treasurer that day in Parliament for a full-scale inquiry into the industry. The Telegraph of the same day reported that the Treasurer knew of no sound reason why an inquiry should be held. Next day The Courier-Mail carried a similar story which also said the Treasurer had been assured there was no truth in the allegation about the board chairman. An inquiry was mentioned in two news stories and a sports story.

Appraisal 3

Only the Telegraph's headline of "Rigging claims at trots" drew attention to the crux of the matter. The Courier-Mail's story of August 29 which mentioned the call for an inquiry had a headline and introduction which focussed on the need for an appeals mechanism. The second Courier Mail headline and story next day carried the suggestion that everything was under control. But there was no reference to any investigations having been carried out in order for this outcome to have been reached. The key point was not identified or highlighted in a story but it could be argued that the Telegraph's headline acted in watchdog mode.

Key point 4

Who assured the Treasurer that the board chairman had not wagered heavily on the winner of a race in which there were disqualifications? Normally, the Minister would have taken advice from the board chairman. Surely, this was not the case now?

Key point coverage

The fact that the Treasurer had been assured was mentioned in one news story.

Appraisal 4

If any newspaper tried to find an answer it did not tell readers of its quest.

General analysis 

The Sunday Sun failed completely to mention the issue while readers of The Sunday Mail would only have known that two drivers were being questioned. On September 3 the Telegraph carried its usual weekly column about trotting (p21). It was 35 paragraphs long and did not contain one sentence on this issue. The column was written for readers who had an interest in trotting. Those interested in trotting would have a major interest in the drivers and trainers involved, and their future. Yet the columnist ignored the issue. When the issue appeared in a column on August 21 it was the third issue in the column, the headline of which did not hint at the controversy. On August 28 the Telegraph carried a story in its sports pages about trotting. The headline was about levels of prize money at Redcliffe, as were the first 10 paragraphs. Only the last two paragraphs mentioned that the Croghans had been banned for a year. 

It was not only the Telegraph which was failing to recognise the news value of what was going on. The Sunday Mail on August 31 carried a sports story which ostensibly was about an upset win by 'Addison'. But after 14 paragraphs, the story suddenly changed and the last six paragraphs were about Brian Pelling and Rod Belford being questioned by stewards. And on September 6 there was a 13-paragraph story in The Courier-Mail under a headline saying a reinsman named Shinn was to drive a horse called Tense Raid. The last paragraph of 13 mentioned that Ken Belford had been suspended. The articles of August 23 and 27, and September 6 and 8 in The Courier-Mail and The Sunday Mail were at the very bottom of the pages on which they appeared. The issue faded from the newspapers as quietly as it had arrived.

CHAPTER 15 - WHITROD'S RESIGNATION AND LEWIS' APPOINTMENT

Background

By now, journalists interested in Queensland politics and governance had available to them extensive newspaper library collections of cuttings detailing allegations against police and government, plus the research of Reid (1971) and James (1974) for example. Police Commissioner Ray Whitrod was widely acknowledged to be an honest police commissioner who since 1970 had done his best to reform and modernise Queensland's police force (see below). He had annoyed the Premier by refusing to allow the police to be used politically and had been protected in Cabinet by the wholehearted support of Police Minister Max Hodges until August 13, 1976, when Hodges was moved to another portfolio. Whitrod had been opposed throughout by the police union. Having moved Minister Hodges, Premier Petersen then promoted junior inspector Terry Lewis to the rank of assistant commissioner against Whitrod's wishes. Whitrod could see the writing on the wall and resigned. Lewis had been one of the officers who had served in the squads responsible for policing the National Hotel and had been represented at the National Hotel Inquiry (Gibbs, 1964) which had been discredited by Peter James (1974). Lewis had allegedly been a bagman for corrupt commissioner Bischof, and a question to this effect was addressed to Lewis by a journalist at a media conference he gave on being promoted to Commissioner (ABC Television footage, November 22, 1976). The issue of Whitrod's resignation and Lewis' appointment coincided with the Premier's withdrawal of a promise to hold an inquiry into police corruption, replacing it with an inquiry into police procedures which was precluded from taking evidence which could be used against any officer.

Coverage of the inquiry issue had dragged on, intermittently, for about 18 months but media questions had been fended off by the Premier until an extremely lengthy court case reached its conclusion on November 5, 1976. The debate about the need for a full inquiry into corruption, which was supported by Commissioner Whitrod then re-emerged in the media on November 8, 1976. The elevation of Inspector Terry Lewis and Whitrod's resignation feature in newspapers from November 15 1976. Coverage of the intertwined stories is examined from November 8, 1976, to December 8, 1976, when it was reported that Lewis had been presented with his badges of rank, signalling Lewis had been installed as commissioner and the issue was effectively over. A total of 54 news stories, seven editorials, six backgrounders, five features, five letters, two cartoons, one column, one sports story and one extended caption covered the issue. (NB: The Country Party had now changed its name to the National Party.}

Total coverage

8-11-76 CM p10 news story 11 pars - Police union appeal - no witch hunt
     Police Union president Ron Redmond said that an inquiry into alleged corruption in the police force should not become a witch hunt, designed to attack the rank and file - if the inquiry was held. Cabinet will consider instituting an inquiry today.

8-11-76 CM p13 news story five pars - 'Joh, Australia's only leader aware of God'
     Australians were urged yesterday to be thankful for the Queensland Premier (Mr Bjelke-Petersen) as the country's only God-conscious leader. Holland Park Church of Christ minister Tom Fairley said the country was going downhill because its leadership had turned away from God and His teachings.

9-11-76 CM p3 news story 16 pars - New delay by Cabinet on police graft inquiry
     The promised open judicial inquiry into allegations of police graft, corruption and malpractice now hinges on a State Crown Law office investigation. The office was asked by Cabinet yesterday to assess the situation. The report is expected for Cabinet's meeting of November 22 when a decision may be taken. Opposition leader Burns accused Cabinet of eagerly frustrating an inquiry which was supported by almost every Queenslander. Mr Bjelke-Petersen promised an inquiry 15 months ago.

10-11-76 CM p2 news story 15 pars - Reputation of police 'needs to be rescued'
     In Parliament Opposition leader Burns called on the Government to hold the promised inquiry into police corruption immediately. He was backed by two Liberal MPs who said there was corruption in the force at high levels.

10-11-76 CM p4 editorial nine paragraphs - That promised police inquiry
     The State Government should make up its mind about holding a judicial inquiry into the police force. The Premier said on August 11 last year that an inquiry would be held as soon as a court case involving SP betting was finished. The case ended on Friday the fifth. "There is no doubt about public feeling over the need for an inquiry."

15-11-76 Tele p3 news story 14 pars - SHAKE-UP OF POLICE
     "A power struggle affecting the future of the Queensland Police Force is expected to climax this week with the appointment of a junior inspector as an assistant commissioner. Executive Council on Thursday is expected to consider appointment of Charleville police Chief Inspector Second Grade Terry Lewis, 46, as Assistant Commissioner, Administration and Training. Inspector Lewis was not on the 'short list' submitted to the Police Minister, Mr Newbery, by the Police Commissioner, Mr Whitrod." One senior government source said 'the aim of the move is to force the resignation of Commissioner Whitrod.' The source said: "The whole deal has been organised by the Premier, Mr Bjelke-Petersen, who has been trying for some time to get rid of Mr Whitrod."

16-11-76 CM p1 news story splash 27 pars - Whitrod to go in two weeks/Inquiry on Police Force procedure/48-year-old may be new Commissioner/Cabinet names 35 in major reshuffle/SHOCKS AS POLICE CHIEF QUITS
     "The shock resignation of Queensland's Police Commissioner (Mr. Ray Whitrod) at 9 a.m. yesterday was followed at 5 p.m. by a State Government announcement of an inquiry into the police force." "The terms of reference do not include investigation of any allegations of malpractice or corruption. Last night, 48-year-old Inspector Terry Lewis, a newly appointed assistant commissioner, was being tipped to succeed Mr. Whitrod." "State Cabinet approved the promotion of Inspector Lewis, despite opposition from Mr. Whitrod" who made it clear that he had resigned because of dissatisfaction with some proposed promotions. An officer who had struck a female demonstrator's head with his baton was promoted. Former Police Minister Hodges, who had been Whitrod's greatest supporter in Cabinet, had been made Tourism Minister by the Premier after he and Whitrod had moved for an inquiry into the baton incident. Whitrod's resignation had been a surprise, said the Premier. It had been immediately accepted by Cabinet unanimously.

16-11-76 CM p1/3 news story 35 pars - Three-man tribunal
     The Premier said if Whitrod was not prepared to accept the decisions of his minister and Cabinet that was his business but even the Premier could not have his own way in Cabinet. He said allegations of corruption in the force had been looked at during a recent SP case. "Mr. Bjelke-Petersen said he knew of no corruption." In August last year the Premier had said the inquiry would investigate corruption but not administration. Now the inquiry will investigate administration but not corruption. Opposition leader Burns said after Hodges had been sacked as Police Minister over the baton incident, Whitrod's position had become intolerable. Whitrod's resignation had been provoked by political pressure. He had the choice of toeing the Bjelke-Petersen line or losing his position. "Mr Bjelke-Petersen's interference stripped Whitrod of much of a commissioner's authority.”

16-11-76 CM p1/3 news story 24 pars - (under main heading and pic of Whitrod)
     Whitrod said he was shown the Government list for promotions on Friday afternoon and decided over the weekend that he would resign on Monday morning.

16-11-76 CM p3 news backgrounder 22 pars - Medal winner top police aide
     Insp. Lewis has made the biggest promotions jump that police can recall. He has by-passed many senior inspectors, superintendents and the chief superintendent. Police Minister Newbery said most senior officers would retire within two to four years.

16-11-76 CM p3 news backgrounder 11 pars - Commissioner 'an idealist'
     Liberal MP and former Hong Kong police inspector Colin Lamont said Hodges and Whitrod had shared a sense of idealism about upgrading the force's image. Some highly placed officers from the Hodges-Whitrod era could find themselves transferred to the bush now Whitrod was going. Police Union president Ron Redmond had nothing to say apart from the fact he was quite surprised.

16-11-76 CM p4 feature 33 pars - WHITROD: The academic cop
     Whitrod ran into trouble with Police Union officials who criticised him for telling reporters he believed that promotion should be by merit, not seniority. The Police Minister had described Whitrod as Australia's best policeman. Whitrod was 1971 Queenslander of the Year. Mr Whitrod strongly believes that the prime requisite for a good policeman is strict honesty.

16-11-76 Tele p1 news story splash 28 pars - He's ready to testify/WHITROD TO BLAST GOVT.
     "Police Commissioner Mr Ray Whitrod is set to blast the State Government over running of the police force. The Commissioner, who sensationally resigned yesterday, said he was prepared to testify at the inquiry into the force." Whitrod is being cautious until his resignation takes effect on November 29. Yesterday Whitrod threatened to resign if Inspector Lewis was appointed an assistant commissioner. Cabinet appointed Lewis and accepted Whitrod's resignation. "Following this the government announced an inquiry into the force to cover criminal law enforcement, presentation of evidence and police interrogation, search and arrest." Former Assistant Commissioner Norm Gulbransen said Whitrod's resignation "was a tragedy for the state, the police force and all honest police officers". Gulbransen said he believed any inquiry would show that Whitrod tried to have one of the most honest police forces in the Commonwealth. Opposition leader Burns said the inquiry should recommend clear guidelines for the authority of the new commissioner.

16-11-76 Tele p3 news story seven pars - 35 named in police shake-up
     Inspector Lewis will take up his new post on March 2.

16-11-76 Tele p3 news story four pars - LITTLE REACTION
     There was little reaction in State Parliament today with Opposition leader Burns asking the only question on the issue. He asked if it was normal for the Commissioner to recommend names for promotion to senior posts. He was told the government had the final say.

16-11-76 Tele p3 backgrounder 15 pars - New assistant in for a testing time
     "The Inspector Second Class, who has been 'buried' at Charleville for a year, is now being freely tipped as the next Police Commissioner." If the government follows normal procedure applications for the vacancy will be invited. But indications yesterday were that the writing was already on the wall for Lewis to secure the top job. Senior police were astonished at the way Lewis had jumped the ranks of higher grade inspector, superintendent and chief superintendent.

17-11-76 CM p1 news story 22 pars - THE POLICE/Early start on inquiry
     Whitrod said he had no intention of tipping any bucket or of blasting anyone, as had been suggested yesterday. He said he had hoped that the terms of reference would be wide enough to cover all points that should be covered. Leading criminal lawyer Des Sturgess was tipped to be a member of the inquiry tribunal. having just successfully defended Jack Reginald Herbert in an SP bribery trial. "The Government wants the police force issue to be 'defused' before the next State election." By then Lewis will probably be Commissioner. A meeting of the CIB section of the Police Union, attended by 52, were unanimous in a telegram to the Premier supporting the appointment of Lewis.

17-11-76 CM p1 news story 10 pars - CALL APPLICATIONS/But tip is Lewis
     The Premier and Deputy-Premier are reported to have been behind Lewis' promotion. Lewis has strong support within the Government for the job of Commissioner.

17-11-76 CM p1 news story 19 pars - Crunch: 3 lists on promotion
     Three lists of proposed police promotions went to Cabinet last week. It was custom for the Commissioner to send his list of proposed promotions via the Police Minister. The Police Officers' Association were given permission by the Minister to present another list. The Minister had a third list. Lewis' name was only on the Minister's list. Whitrod opposed Lewis' appointment.

17-11-76 CM p4 editorial eight pars - Mr Whitrod's resignation
     "It had become inevitable, of course, and State Cabinet obviously meant it to be. And so Queensland has lost probably the best Police Commissioner it ever had...His critics, in the force and in the Government, wanted the old safe ways of an entrenched system as little answerable to the public as it could be. Aided by the Premier (Mr Bjelke-Petersen) and the Police Union, the old guard has won. The Queensland public has lost. Cabinet set up a situation which made it impossible for Mr Whitrod to do his job properly and left him no real alternative but to resign."

17-11-76 CM p4 editorial five pars - Police inquiry
     "The police inquiry announced the same day as Mr Whitrod's resignation is too bland, and it skirts around some of the most pertinent, if potentially embarrassing, issues...the terms appear to sidestep the graft and corruption claims which also have caused much public concern... Last year the Premier promised an inquiry into corruption but not police administration. This year he is having one into administration, but not corruption. The public now will be satisfied only with a probing and widest possible inquiry. It is the Government's duty to provide one."

17-11-76 CM p4 cartoon 
     Cartoon shows Premier Joh accepting Whitrod's resignation. In the background is a wall poster: "Joh's thought for today - 'No commission without my permission'. The caption has Joh saying: "Always wanting to stop corruption and crime - what sort of attitude was that for a senior officer?"

17-11-76 Tele p1 news story six pars - 'Help police chief' plea
     A power station worker has started a petition supporting Whitrod, saying: 'I do have an interest as a concerned citizen in keeping an honest policeman on the job'.

17-11-76 Tele p62 news story eight pars - Houston
     The Queensland Police Force was now a tool of politicians, Deputy Opposition leader Houston told Parliament today. He said Whitrod was the last bulwark against the politicians.

18-11-76 CM p1 news story 10 pars - Joh hints wider probe
     "The Police Force inquiry could be extended to include claims of graft and corruption. The Premier (Mr Bjelke-Petersen) indicated this yesterday." The Premier told the Parliamentary National Party that he believed graft and corruption claims had been dealt with during a recent trial but he indicated the tribunal could investigate those claims if it wished.

18-11-76 CM p3 news story 14 pars - 'Decisions forced on Whitrod'
     Opposition deputy leader Houston told Parliament Whitrod had been forced to make decisions by Cabinet but say that they were his.

18-11-76 CM p3 news story six pars - Honesty motive
     The petition in support of Whitrod has about 100 signatures.

18-11-76 CM p4 letter 11 pars - 'Inquiry should probe graft'
     Former Police Inspector Corner wrote: "The Premier is alleged to have stated he knows of no corruption. If this is so I would ask him to make public through parliamentary privilege a statement given by me to the Scotland Yard investigators who came to Queensland to investigate malpractice and corruption in the Queensland Police."

18-11-76 CM p11 news backgrounder 21 pars - Insp. Lewis: 'Man with a light touch'
     Inspector Lewis is well thought of in Charleville.

18-11-76 Tele p4 news story 18 pars - POLICE TO STAND BY WHITROD
     More than 60 police had said they would sign the petition supporting Whitrod, said the petition organiser. A meeting of 52 members of the Brisbane CIB section have voted unanimously to send a telegram to the Premier and Police Minister congratulating them on Lewis' appointment.

19-11-76 CM p1 news story 26 pars - New chief is possible in two weeks
     "Queensland might have a new Police Commissioner, probably Inspector Terry Lewis, before the end of the month. The State Government might appoint the new Commissioner without calling applications. It was suggested yesterday that Inspector Lewis could be named Commissioner immediately after Mr Whitrod leaves the job on November 29." This would mean a jump from inspector to commissioner. Sturgess has been appointed to the inquiry.

20-11-76 CM p5 news story 11 pars - Colston hits police inquiry
     Members of the commission inquiring into aspects of the police had conflicting interests, Senator Colston said yesterday. He said: 'Mr D.G. Sturgess was the defending barrister for Jack Reginald Herbert in the recent S.P. Bribery trial.' He said Ch. Supt. Becker also had conflicting interests. "Senator Colston said he feared composition of the inquiry was a deliberate attempt by the State Government to stifle a full inquiry into the police." Acting Justice Minister Knox said the public would have total confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the members.

21-11-76 SM p3 news story 11 pars - Burns switch on cop inquiry
     Opposition leader Burns has changed his mind and now wants the police inquiry to be held in camera. He said the inquiry should examine the past to improve the future, and not be surrounded by sensation. The key priority must be to outlaw corruption and malpractice.

21-11-76 SM p37 news story 23 pars - Revival tipped for Juvenile Aid Bureau
     Government and police sources are predicting a new lease of life for the Juvenile Aid Bureau following the departure next weekend of Commissioner Whitrod. The bureau's first boss was Terry Lewis, now being tipped to take over from Whitrod. Former police minister Hodges is believed to be one of three ministers who spoke out against Lewis' appointment as an assistant commissioner at Monday's Cabinet meeting.

21-11-76 SS p4 feature 28 pars - THE WHITROD FILE/THE COP WHO GOES OUT IN THE COLD
     "...it took the machinations of the police old brigade and the political interference of the Queensland Government seven years to wear him [Whitrod] down." Sunday Sun reported in January this year that the Premier had set out to get Whitrod and Police Minister Hodges. "I have no doubt Ray Whitrod had a vision when he came to Queensland way back in 1969. He saw himself as head of the most honest, most modern, best-educated police force in Australia. Almost from the start a hard core element in the police force and politicians under their influence opposed Whitrod's programs."

21-11-76 SS p5 feature 35 pars - Out West they say Lewis is tops
     A week ago Terry Lewis was a junior inspector 'exiled' to the outback and half expecting to be moved sideways into another out-of-the-way spot. Tomorrow - if the tipsters are right - he will be the new commissioner.

21-11-76 SS p5 news story 13 pars - SCOTLAND YARD HAS EVIDENCE ON POLICE
     Two Scotland Yard detectives who spent two months investigating allegations of corruption and malpractice in the Queensland force have important evidence to place before an inquiry. But they are unlikely to be called before the inquiry ordered by Cabinet because it will concentrate on administration.

21-11-76 SS p9 news story 12 pars - Labor switches on police probe
     The Labor Party has reversed its policy on the police inquiry and suggested it should be held in secret.

21-11-76 SS p6 news story 25 pars - Whiter than white cops for election time/NEW POLICE SPY UNIT IS PLANNED
     An elite anti-corruption squad is expected to be formed early in the new year after the shockwave of Commissioner Whitrod's resignation has ebbed. "The Government hopes everything will be peace, perfect peace, by election time. I was told last week: 'The Government is going to be very hard on corruption. It will expect the new police administration to be even tougher." "I was told by a Government source: 'There was unrestrained delight when Whitrod's resignation arrived on the Cabinet table. All we were concerned about was getting it through and making it irreversible...Joh immediately raised Terry Lewis' name and Knox agreed. They thought he was a most competent officer - he topped the exam Whitrod used to set for his commissioned officers."

22-11-76 CM p2 news story 13 pars - Inquiry call on Victoria corruption report leak
     The report of a Victorian inquiry into police corruption, which had led to 31 officers being charged, had been leaked.

22-11-76 CM p4 letter six pars - 'Only good can come'
     Barrister W.J. Cuthbert wrote of his knowledge of the honesty, integrity and independence of Sturgess.

22-11-76 CM p4 column 16 pars - The police inquiry/A Christian Point of View/BY DEAN GEORGE
     It is good to hear the Premier suggesting that the terms of reference of the police inquiry might be widened. Public anxiety about the police force is growing rapidly. The Commissioner has been described as 'an honest cop'. Some members of the force are rather unhappy that this suggests that other policemen are not honest. His honesty, integrity and courage was unquestioned. Police forces should be unremitting in their zeal to eliminate corruption and people involved in corruption. "It is this area in which the public need to be assured by a full public inquiry about what has been going on, or is alleged to have been going on. It may well be that if this is not done the progress made during Mr. Whitrod's tenure as Commissioner will be lost."

22-11-76 CM p12 news story five pars - Burns 'pleases' Premier
     Opposition leader Burns has agreed that the police inquiry should be closed. Premier Bjelke-Petersen said he was surprised and pleased.

23-11-76 CM p1 news story 20 pars - Lewis police chief from next Monday
     State Cabinet took only 10 minutes yesterday to decide, unanimously, on Terry Lewis as Queensland's new Police Commissioner. The promotion was proposed by Police Minister Newbery and supported immediately by the Premier. It was the only name put forward. Lewis will start on Monday, the day Whitrod goes. Whitrod resigned partly because of Lewis' promotion. Newbery said it would be completely wrong to say Whitrod had been pushed from the job.

23-11-76 CM p1 news story seven pars - Better deal for force
     Cabinet decided on a new deal for police yesterday. Better housing and official facilities, and a more sympathetic transfer system were promised.

23-11-76 CM p2 news backgrounder 26 pars - A time of change for police force
     Terry Lewis said he had no idea he would jump from inspector to commissioner. 

23-11-76 CM p4 editorial four pars - An open inquiry
     Despite the rare accord between Bjelke-Petersen and Burns, the inquiry should be open so that public confidence is retained.

23-11-76 CM p4 feature 35 pars - LEWIS: Another academic cop
     Terry Lewis is tall, friendly and smiling. Whitrod has never been an admirer of Lewis.

23-11-76 Tele p3 news story eight pars - WHITROD DENIAL
     Whitrod denies he bought a house in Adelaide a number of weeks before his resignation. He said he had never seriously considered resigning before he did. He had not even looked at a house or spoken to a salesman.

24-11-76 CM p4 editorial 12 pars (19 sentences) - New man at the top
     The appointment of the new Commissioner should stop the bickering that led to Whitrod's resignation. "Mr Lewis is 'acceptable' to the Government and the Police Union who, between them, hounded out of office an outstanding Police Commissioner because he wanted inconvenient reforms and improvements in the police force." Lewis has an impressive record. "He will come to the job as a committee of inquiry prepares to probe the force - an investigation which could lead to changes that could restore public confidence, sapped by the months of turmoil involving police at many levels and in many areas of activity."

26-11-76 CM p4 letter five pars - Police boss
     J. F. Cox wrote that he was concerned by the lack of comment by people on Whitrod's resignation. He noted with interest that the union seemed pleased with Whitrod's resignation and Lewis' appointment.

26-11-76 CM p9 news story 16 pars - Killers want to talk at inquiry
     The chairman of the tribunal, Mr Justice Lucas, would not talk about how open the inquiry might be.

26-11-76 Tele p3 news story 28 pars - It's clearing-up day for Whitrod/THE END OF AN ERA...
     A woman who has written a letter of support to Whitrod says she dare not sign her name for fear of what might happen.

27-11-76 CM p2 news story 14 pars - Unit will check complaints on police (by the political reporter)
     A special unit is likely to be established in the Queensland Police to investigate allegations of police corruption and malpractice. This had been done by the Crime Intelligence Unit but this would revert to gathering intelligence on criminals.

27-11-76 CM p2 news story eight pars - Lewis is in two minds
     Lewis was sad to leave Charleville but thrilled to be taking up his new job.

27-11-76 CM p2 news story 16 pars - Some will welcome my going: Whitrod
     Some members of the police force would welcome his departure, Whitrod wrote in the last of his newsletters yesterday.

27-11-76 CM p2 news story five pars - 'Small farewell'
     Police Minister Newbery has organised a small farewell function for Whitrod.

27-11-76 CM p4 news story 13 pars - Police probe not for 'names'
     Police inquiry chairman (Mr Justice Lucas) yesterday made it clear that the inquiry was not in the business of gathering evidence for the future prosecution of policemen. The inquiry was not interested in the names of officers. The inquiry would be far different from the Victorian investigation of corruption.

28-11-76 SS p5 news story 55 pars - Raymond Wells Whitrod...the last hours/IT IS STILL THE BATTLE OF THE CATHOLICS AND MASONS
     Police power in Queensland is still a battle between the Catholics and Masons. On the day he started he had received a letter from politician Bill Hayden telling him how bad things were. Whitrod thought this was an exaggeration but it was not and things had not improved. Many letters to Whitrod sympathising with his plight were unsigned. One women wrote that she was afraid to sign her letter.

29-11-76 CM p2 news backgrounder 24 pars - END AND START OF A CAREER
     Journalists invited to Whitrod's home were given an off-the-record briefing. "Perhaps there was little new for the older journalists to learn. But for all was the thought that if laws of libel, slander, defamation, etc. were not so strict, then a story that should be told, could be told...This morning at a press conference Ray Whitrod will tell his story carefully as far as the law permits." Lewis freely admits he would have preferred to stay an assistant commissioner for several years.

29-11-76 CM p4 letter 21 pars - Police appointment 'dangers'
     Doug Tucker, Queensland University lecturer in public administration, wrote that the promotion of Lewis and resignation of Whitrod are a public scandal. "Yet the media, with few exceptions, have not been interested in reporting criticism of, let alone researching in depth, this incredible series of events." Political interference in transfers leads to officers thinking about their futures if they displease politicians and their friends. "Those with the highest standards of integrity then become the first to depart - which is exactly the opposite of what should happen." To appoint the new commissioner the Government "did not even bother to go through the motions of selecting the best man for the job". A Government concerned with preserving at least the appearance of appointing the best available person would have advertised the vacancy, interviewed a short list of applicants and then announced the name of the candidate preferred at the outset. "It is distressing that there has been no spontaneous public outcry about this issue. The silence of our State parliamentarians is equally disturbing."

29-11-76 Tele p1 news story splash 16 pars - Political interference claim/WHITROD HITS OUT AT GOVT./'I'M NO PUPPET'
     Whitrod said today he had resigned because of political interference. He had been pushed out by the Premier who had made decisions contrary to Whitrod's beliefs. Leading politicians had demanded special favours, including requests to get off minor charges. Whitrod said "in many respects I was no longer in charge of the force".

29-11-76 Tele p7 news story 28 pars - Special favours 'were sought'
     Whitrod said he had been unable to do anything about a powerful SP bookie operation throughout Queensland because the Federal Government had refused to give powers permitting phone taps. Lewis' appointment had been the last straw. "He did not believe Mr Lewis was the best man for the job."

29-11-76 Tele p7 news story 13 pars - 'NO SUPPORT FOR WHITROD'
     Whitrod did not have the confidence of his men, the Premier said today. The Premier said that time and again he had received demands for Whitrod's resignation. He had passed these on to former police minister Hodges but nothing was done. 800 police had resigned in Whitrod's commissionership. "Asked whether it was significant that both Mr Hodges and Mr Whitrod were now both gone Mr Bjelke-Petersen said 'from time to time it is good to have a change in the situation'." "The Premier denied that Mr Whitrod's resignation was a political one and said it was a complete surprise to him."

30-11-76 CM p1 news story 30 pars - Police in revolt mood, says Joh
     Premier Bjelke-Petersen said yesterday that if Whitrod had not resigned there would have been a revolt in the police force. 'This is too valuable a force to be destroyed,' he said. 'I was determined that there would be no revolt.' But he said the resignation had come out of the blue. "If Mr. Whitrod had stayed it would have been a police state because he did not take any notice of his Minister in many ways," said the Premier. He denied there had been political interference in the force. The Premier said a request by Whitrod to address Cabinet was refused because this was not a right given to any permanent head. "But the Police Minister (Mr Newbery) had then asked Mr. Whitrod to put his objections to the new Police Commissioner (Mr. Lewis) in writing to be placed before Cabinet. The Premier said Mr. Whitrod had refused." Opposition leader Burns said: ‘All Queenslanders will be disturbed at grave allegations by Mr. Whitrod concerning questions such as suppressed police documents and claims for political police favours.’

30-11-76 CM p3 news story 52 pars - WHITROD CLAIMS:                      Government briefed on Cedar Bay/'Resigning was the only
way' Whitrod said he had been instructed not to send police to Cedar Bay to investigate complaints about alleged illegal behaviour by police during a raid on hippies there. Whitrod said he had resigned because of political interference. He would not be a puppet commissioner. Some politicians had demanded favours for themselves and their families. Attempts had been made to use political influence right down to the lower levels of police transfers and promotions. "He would not comment on his successor (Mr. Lewis) beyond saying he did not think he was the most suitable man to fill the vacancy." Lewis' name had not been on any of the promotions lists drawn up by Whitrod's assistant commissioners. When Whitrod had seen Newbery's list with Lewis' name as assistant commissioner he had asked for permission to address Cabinet. Newbery had rung him back later to say this was not possible. "On political interference he said: 'The Government's view seems to be that the police are just another public service department, accountable to the Premier and Cabinet through the Police Minister, and therefore rightly subject to direction, not only on matters of general policy, but also in specific cases. I believe as a Police Commissioner, I am answerable not to a person, not to the Executive Council but to the law...Interference with my responsibilities reached the stage where I was no longer in command.' The Premier had pushed him out of his job. He had been given the names of a 'rat pack' of corrupt police officers who took bribes. He said he was not prepared to say whether any member of the rat pack was on the last promotions list. He did not know why the Police Union had such a close rapport with the Premier. He said: 'The new Police Commissioner believes he has the support of 98 per cent of the force. I hope that the other two per cent - the small group of dedicated policemen - will follow my ideals and stick to them." He said he was anxious for the future of the force.

30-11-76 CM p4 Editorial 11 pars - Mr. Whitrod bows out
     Whitrod spelt out in plain terms that political interference was the reason for his resignation. The Police Union also has too much influence in the day-to-day administration of the police. A Commissioner should not be fettered in fairly administering the law. "The Government must ensure that the State's police force serves the law - not the vote-catching aspirations of whoever may hold office."

30-11-76 CM p4 letter four pars - Whitrod thanked
     P. Gerber wrote: "The fact that Mr. Whitrod was permitted to fade into obscurity without a voice of protest, let alone thanks, is an indictment of Queensland and its politics."

30-11-76 CM p16 feature 14 pars - For Mrs. Lewis, a happy year - hectic fortnight

30-11-76 Tele p3 news story 26 pars - UPROAR OVER POLICE/MINISTER BLASTED
     In Parliament Opposition leader Burns called for an urgent debate on allegations made by Whitrod. He said Whitrod had been politically persecuted and hounded and humiliated from office by the Premier and his new ministerial henchman. He said: "They set out to ruthlessly destroy the impartial authority most citizens expect to be vested in their police commissioner."

30-11-76 Tele p3 news story 35 pars - Cabinet was an influence - Newbery
     Police Minister Newbery said he had put out feelers for someone suitable to be promoted to assistant commissioner. He had known Lewis for some considerable time and recommended him. Told that Lewis had said he hadn't spoken to Newbery for many years, Newbery said: 'That would be right, too.' Newbery said all officers senior to Lewis were unsuitable for the job of commissioner. "Mr Whitrod's resignation was not, as suggested by retired Assistant Commissioner Gulbransen, a victory for the forces of corruption."

1-12-76 CM p1 news story splash - WHITROD: "I'll think about giving evidence, but I'm trying to fade out"/'NO WITCH HUNTS ON POLICE'/-Pledge by Joh
     The Premier said there would be no witch hunts by the Committee of Inquiry into Criminal Law. He told Parliament yesterday that men who had resigned under Whitrod would return.

1-12-76 CM p1 extended caption 10 pars - Happy days?
     Police Minister Newbery, Lewis and Whitrod attended the farewell function organised by Newbery.

1-12-76 CM p2 news story 28 pars - Whitrod slanted truth, says Minister
      In an emergency Parliamentary debate sponsored by the Opposition, the Police Minister accused Whitrod of slanting the truth and wanting to be a power unto himself. Opposition leader Burns said Whitrod had been politically persecuted, hounded and humiliated from office. He said the terms of reference of the judicial inquiry had to be wider to allow Whitrod to give effective evidence on the effects of political intrusion. He said Queenslanders did not want a system in which the Premier determined which laws could be enforced and which must be ignored, and in which promotion depended on the capacity to please the Premier.

1-12-76 CM p4 cartoon - 
     A policeman talks to a passing motorist outside a rickety police station in the middle of the outback with the caption: "Then he said: 'So you want a position in the force completely free of political interference...'."

1-12-76 CM p16 news story eight pars - Police unable to stop SP - Knox
     Police had been unable to stamp out SP betting, Racing Minister Knox told Liberal backbencher Lindsay during Parliamentary question time.

1-12-76 CM p25 sports story 16 pars - Whitrod's SP idea ridiculed
     Racing interests strongly ridiculed Whitrod's suggestion that the only way to deal with illegal SP bookmaking was to legalise it.

2-12-76 CM p4 editorial five pars - Inquiry evidence
     The committee of inquiry into criminal law enforcement cannot afford the time to travel around the State seeking evidence. Its main difficulty may be in finding a sufficient number of witnesses.

5-12-76 SS p4 news story 16 pars - FILES TAKEN FROM CIB BY NEWBERY
     Cedar Bay reports taken by Police Minister Newbery were taken from a locked safe at the CIB on his orders before he shredded them.

5-12-76 SS p4 news story 4 pars - Whitrod may not tell
     Whitrod is unlikely to appear before the law enforcement inquiry because he could not afford to be represented by a barrister.

7-12-76 CM p13 news story 10 pars - Police 'heartened' by Lewis ideas list
     Lewis has told police in a circular that he has 13 ideas under consideration, including closer co-operation with the Police Union. This would involve regular meetings with the union executive and the possibility of allowing one or two executive members to discuss transfers with him.

8-12-76 CM p3 news story seven pars - Plain clothes man at top
     Lewis was presented with his badges of rank yesterday.

Key point 1

As in 1957, a Police Commissioner left his position suddenly and unexpectedly. In this case, the tributes to Whitrod's honesty were wide-ranging and undisputed, apart from Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen. The event was accurately forecast by a newspaper which quoted a senior Government source as saying: "The whole deal has been organised by the Premier, Mr Bjelke-Petersen, who has been trying for some time to get rid of Mr Whitrod." Other articles make it plain that this is what happened. Why would a Government of dubious reputation want to force out an honest Commissioner? It was important to discover on what grounds Whitrod was being forced out, to tell the public what they were and to subject them to scrutiny, giving readers a clear idea of what was happening and why.

Key point coverage 

On November 16 The Courier-Mail reminded readers that Opposition leader Tom Burns had said after Hodges had been sacked as Police Minister that Whitrod's position had become intolerable because he would not toe the Bjelke-Petersen line. And it reported the Premier had made a reference to the commissioner not having been prepared to accept the decisions of the police minister and Cabinet. On November 17 The Courier-Mail said in an editorial that Cabinet had obviously intended that probably the best Police Commissioner it had ever had should resign. The Government wanted an entrenched system as little answerable to the public as it could be. A Courier-Mail cartoon on the same day put it more bluntly with the Premier saying: "Always wanting to stop corruption and crime - what sort of attitude was that for a senior officer?" That afternoon the Telegraph told how Deputy Opposition leader Houston told Parliament the force was now the tool of politicians. On November 21 Sunday Sun recalled how it had warned in January that the Premier had set out to get Whitrod and Police Minister Hodges. On November 24 The Courier-Mail carried an editorial which again pointed out the Government had hounded out of office an outstanding police commissioner because he wanted inconvenient reforms and improvements in the police force. 

On November 29 the Telegraph reported Whitrod had said he had been pushed out by the Premier who had made decisions contrary to Whitrod's beliefs and that leading politicians had demanded special favours. It reported the Premier saying that Whitrod had not had the confidence of his men, with 800 resigning under his commissionership. It quoted Opposition leader Burns as saying the Premier and Police Minister Tom Newbery had set out to ruthlessly destroy the impartial authority most people expected to be vested in the Commissioner. The Courier-Mail on November 30 reported that the Premier had said that if Whitrod had not resigned there would have been a revolt in the force and the Premier had been determined there would be no revolt. The Courier-Mail said the Premier had also said that Queensland would have become a police state because the Commissioner would not take notice of the minister. Whitrod was quoted as saying he had resigned because of political interference. That day's The Courier-Mail also carried an editorial which mentioned that Whitrod had spelled out in plain terms that political interference was the reason for his resignation. Finally, on December 1 The Courier-Mail quoted Opposition Leader Burns as saying Whitrod had been politically persecuted, hounded and humiliated from office. 

Appraisal 1

There were five news stories, three editorials, a cartoon and feature in which reasons for Whitrod's departure were advanced. The reasons advanced by various people included: because he would not toe the Bjelke-Petersen line; he would not accept the decisions of the police minister and Cabinet; the Government wanted an entrenched system as little answerable to the public as it could be; always wanting to stop corruption and crime - what sort of attitude was that for a senior officer?; because he wanted inconvenient reforms and improvements in the police force; Whitrod had not had the confidence of his men, with 800 resigning under his commissionership; if Whitrod had not resigned there would have been a revolt in the force and the Premier had been determined there would be no revolt; Queensland would have become a police state because the Commissioner would not take notice of the minister. 

All of these 'reasons' raise questions which are worthy of detailed examination by the media. The Telegraph was responsible for only two of these items and the Sunday Sun one. There were seven articles in The Courier-Mail, on November 16, 17, 24, 30 and December 1. The first and last items were stories containing quotes from Opposition leader Burns. The only other story was on November 30 setting out the Premier's views. There were three editorials, on November 17, 24 and 30. The editorial of November 17 spelled out very plainly to readers that the State was losing probably the best Commissioner it ever had because he had been forced out by a combination of police and politicians who wanted a system as little answerable to the public as it could be. It demanded no action. It could not be classified as interventionist. The editorial of November 24 explains that Whitrod had been hounded out of office because he wanted inconvenient reforms and improvements but it went on to examine how well Lewis might settle in to the job. The last editorial mentioned how Whitrod blamed political interference for his demise and it examined the relationship that should exist between a government and a police commissioner. The editorial demanded that the Government must ensure that the State's police force served the law rather than the vote-catching aspirations of whoever may hold office. 

The editorial and cartoon of The Courier Mail on November 17 clearly identified the key point and alerted readers to this point, therefore fulfilling two of the watchdog criteria. It reminded readers of the point in editorials, fulfilling a small part of criteria six which is to keep the key point in the public eye by publishing, on a frequent and regular basis, stories, columns, features, backgrounders, editorials, cartoons and letters. No other newspaper carried an editorial protesting at what was happening or demanding action. The Sunday Sun's story about Commissioner editorial having been a victim of the Premier meant the newspaper had identified the key point and fulfilled the first of the criteria but the newspaper then cancelled any good it may have done by running a story in the same edition which talked glowingly of the qualities of replacement Terry Lewis. The Telegraph's story of November 29 certainly fulfilled the first watchdog criterion by highlighting editorial reasons for going. 

Key point 2

Why would the Government choose a junior inspector who had been banished to the outback by Whitrod to become commissioner without advertising the vacancy or considering any other candidates? The Courier-Mail carried stories on November 23 and 29 suggesting Lewis did not apply for the job and quoted him saying he had no idea he would become commissioner and that he would have preferred to stay an assistant commissioner for several years. Did the reasons for his selection stand up to scrutiny?

Key point overage

On November 16 The Courier-Mail reported that Police Minister Tom Newbery said most senior officers would retire within four years. The Courier-Mail on November 17 said the Premier and his deputy were reported to have been behind the promotion of Lewis who had strong support in Government for the job of commissioner. On November 18 The Courier-Mail carried a backgrounder on Lewis which said he was well thought of in Charleville. On November 21 The Sunday Mail said that a Government source had revealed that the Premier and his deputy thought Lewis was a most competent officer, having topped the exam Whitrod had set for his commissioned officers. On November 24 a Courier Mail editorial said Lewis had an impressive record and was acceptable to the Government and union which had together hounded out Whitrod. On November 30 the Telegraph said minister Newbery had explained he had put out feelers for someone suitable for promotion to assistant commissioner. He had known Lewis for a considerable time and had recommended him. Told that Lewis had said they had not spoken for many years, Newbery had responded: "That would be right, too." Newbery had said all officers senior to Lewis had been unsuitable for promotion to commissioner. On November 30 in The Courier-Mail Whitrod commented that Lewis had said he had the support of 98 per cent of the force.

Appraisal

These mentions were contained in three Courier Mail news stories, a Courier Mail backgrounder and a Courier Mail editorial. There was also a news story in The Sunday Mail and one in the Telegraph. None of them focussed on this key point.

An examination of those items suggests that no newspaper set out to pin down the Government on how and why it made its choice for this crucial position. Positive points mentioned in articles included: most senior officers would retire within four years; strong support in Government for the job of commissioner; well thought of in Charleville; the Premier and his deputy thought Lewis was a most competent officer, having topped the exam Whitrod set for his commissioned officers; Lewis had an impressive record and was acceptable to the Government and union which had together hounded out Whitrod; Minister Newbery had put out feelers for someone suitable for promotion to assistant commissioner and all officers senior to Lewis had been unsuitable for promotion to commissioner; Lewis had said he had the support of 98 per cent of the force. The newspapers completely failed to identify and act on this key point, despite having their attention drawn to the issue by the forthright letter from Queensland University's lecturer in public administration, Doug Tucker, and - almost certainly - by Whitrod’s off-the-record briefing on November 28 (see Jim Crawford's story, End and Start of a Career, C-M, 29-11-76).

Key point 3

Fitzgerald said (1989: 40) that there had been media pressure in 1975 for an inquiry into police corruption. On November 16, 1976, newspapers carried news that the inquiry promised in 1975 had now been neutered. Pressure from the media was most definitely needed. Did it happen?

Key point coverage  

The Courier-Mail complained in an editorial on November 17 that the inquiry was too bland and said it was the Government's duty to hold a probing inquiry. It also reported Whitrod as saying he hoped the inquiry would have wide terms of reference. Next day it reported the Premier had indicated the inquiry could be extended to include claims of graft and corruption and it carried a letter from former inspector Charles Corner (the man who had complained about Commissioner Frank Bischof) drawing attention to a statement he had made about corruption. On November 20 The Courier-Mail carried a story in which a Federal ALP member criticised the appointment of barrister Sturgess as one of the three people to investigate 'aspects' of the police, alleging a conflict of interest. Next day The Sunday Mail and Sunday Sun said State Opposition leader Burns was now saying the inquiry should be held in camera. The Sunday Sun said it was unlikely that Scotland Yard detectives who had investigated corruption in the Queensland force would be called before the inquiry. In The Courier-Mail of November 22 cleric Dean George said a full public inquiry was needed while in a story the Premier said he was pleased Opposition leader Burns had agreed to a closed inquiry. On November 23 The Courier-Mail urged that despite the rare accord between Bjelke-Petersen and Burns, the inquiry should be open. The Courier-Mail of November 27 reported that another member of the three-person inquiry panel, Justice Lucas, had made it clear that the inquiry would not gather evidence against police. On December 1 The Courier-Mail reported that Opposition leader Burns had called for the inquiry to be wider but this ws not the focus of the story.

Appraisal 3

A five-paragraph Courier-Mail editorial of November 17, a story next day on the Premier's reaction and a further editorial on November 23 all refer to the need for an inquiry.  The Courier-Mail then printed a reader's letter and a clergyman's opinion, both in favour of an inquiry into corruption, and a story which included Opposition Leader Tom Burns' comment about the need for a wider inquiry but did not focus on the key point. That was the extent of the pressure for an inquiry into corruption in the police force. Two editorial, one news story, a letter and a clergyman's column hardly amount to a campaign but, in fairness, the editorial, although not demanding action, did identify the key point. It could be argued on a pedantic basis that The Courier-Mail  had met the first, third and sixth of the watchdog criteria.  The Telegraph, Sunday Sun and The Sunday Mail failed to mount any pressure at all.

General analysis

When strong words were needed and newspapers should have been intervening if they intended to act as watchdogs, The Courier-Mail sold out in the vernacular sense of the phrase. Much of its editorial of November 24 could have been written on behalf of the establishment by a Government staffer. Its message suggested that all concerned should paper over the cracks, with the hope that the appointment of Lewis would stop the bickering that had led to Commissioner Whitrod's resignation. After a Courier-Mail feature on November 23 which revealed what a nice man Inspector Terry Lewis was, it took a university lecturer to raise several pertinent points in a 21-paragraph letter to the editor. Doug Tucker's letter in The Courier-Mail on November 29 provided the kind of hard-hitting, analytical comment that was needed to start the watchdog barking again. He said the resignation of Whitrod and the promotion of Lewis were a public scandal, with the Government not even bothering to go through the motions of selecting the best man for the job. But the points raised by the letter did not appear to be followed up by journalists. 

Not one article harked back to the Harold-Bischof controversy 19 years earlier to see whether there were any lessons to be learned from history. 

The issue of the commissionership was effectively ended when Lewis was given his badges of rank. Reportage switched to coverage of the ensuing inquiry.

Hindsight

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting which Whitrod tried to address on November 22 are the only minutes missing from archives for many years (Fitzgerald 1989: 46).

The Courier-Mail editorial of November 30, 1976, demanded that the Government had to ensure that the State's police force served the law rather than the vote-catching aspirations of whoever may hold office. Lewis's diaries (Fitzgerald Inquiry) show that he often had the wishes of the Government in mind and was perhaps best demonstrated on August 27, 1983, when the Daily Sun and The Courier-Mail reported him as saying that the free enterprise policies of the Bjelke-Petersen Government had been responsible for the State's growth. Lewis was found guilty of 16 counts of corruption and forgery and sentenced to 14 years in jail in 1991, following a five month District Court trial.

CHAPTER !6 - HINZE LAND ALLEGATIONS

Background

Minister Russ Hinze, who had developed a trotting stable as a result of a friendship with Brian Pelling (ST 14-3-76), first became the subject of criticism in Parliament when he established a gravel extraction and crushing plant on his land at Oxenford. The MP and former Albert Shire chairman was accused of having received favourable treatment from the council. In September 1978 it was revealed that Russ Hinze, owner of land at Burleigh Heads, would benefit hugely through the rezoning of his land which had been recommended to the Governor in Council by the department of which Russ Hinze was minister. Don MacSween, President of the Gold Coast Protection League which objected to the plan, told The Courier-Mail: "In this case we understand the position to be that one Cabinet Minister plus one landowner wanted the rezoning. On the other hand, about 76 objectors and the local council in 1976, disapproved." 

There were 16 news stories and one editorial which could be considered relevant, with the first article appearing on September 8, 1978, and the last on September 24.

Total coverage 

8-9-78 CM p3 news story 40 pars - Joh asked to check rezoning of land linked with Hinze
     A group of Gold Coast residents has asked the Premier to examine the rezoning of Gold Coast land linked with Local Government Minister Hinze. The land is owned by Lowanna Pty Ltd, the listed directors of which are Russell Hinze and Faye McQuillan. On July 20 an area of land, including two pieces owned by Lowanna, and zoned residential low density, was rezoned by an Order in Council to medium density. This meant that any development, instead of being restricted to a maximum of two storeys, could now accommodate up to 160 people per acre. Council records show that Mr Hinze sought to have the zoning changed in 1976 when 76 objections were received. "The council refused the application and passed on this request together with all relevant documents to Mr Hinze in his capacity of Local Government Minister. In a letter to objectors dated May 14, 1976...the council said: 'The application will now be decided by the Minister after which the council will be further advised.'" Last month objectors were told that the Governor in Council had ordered the rezoning, despite the council's recommendation to the Minister that rezoning be refused. The objectors' president said: "In this case we understand the position to be that one Cabinet Minister plus one landowner wanted the rezoning. On the other hand, about 76 objectors and the local council in 1976, disapproved."

8-9-78 CM p3 news story six pars - Hinze 'was not there'
     A spokesman for Mr Hinze said the Minister had not been present when the rezoning came before the Governor in Council. The Local Government Department and the local council had decided the rezoning was in keeping with the area. "Mr Hinze would not comment last night."

8-9-78 Tele p3 news story 17 pars - Pledge by Hinze on coast land dealings
     Local Government Minister Hinze promised today to make a full ministerial statement to answer allegations involving his Gold Coast land dealings. He flatly denied any impropriety. Mr Hinze said Faye McQuillan was his secretary. The controversy was old hat and there was so much innuendo and inference that it was nearly a joke, he said. 

9-9-78 CM p3 news story 29 pars - 'No impropriety on land' - Hinze
     Local Government Minister Hinze denied any impropriety in the rezoning of the land. From Darwin Premier Bjelke-Petersen said he had complete confidence in Mr Hinze, saying: 'As far as I'm concerned it's 100 per cent above board and nothing to it...There won't be an inquiry." Mr Hinze said Faye McQuillan was his secretary. The controversy was old hat and there was so much innuendo and inference that it was nearly a joke, he said. 

9-9-78 CM p3 news story five pars - Defamation claimed in damages writ
     Hinze has issued a writ for damages for alleged defamation against Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd and John Atherton over yesterday's story.

12-9-78 Tele p7 news story 19 pars - Hinze: 'I acted with propriety'
     Local Government Minister Hinze told Parliament today he had acted with complete propriety and in accordance with the law in his Gold Coast land dealings.

13-9-78 CM p3 news story 46 pars - Hinze says no impropriety in land rezoning
     Mr Hinze told Parliament yesterday he had never acted improperly in relation to rezoning of his Burleigh Heads land. He told Parliament he owned land that had been rezoned. He had not been present at the Cabinet meeting that had dealt with the matter prior to it going to the Governor. The recommendation from the Gold Coast to the Minister in 1976 had been that it be not proceeded with. After correspondence between Mr Hinze's department and the present administration of the council, it had been decided a rezoning should go ahead.

13-9-78 Tele p4 news story 20 pars - 'Hinze must resign over land deal'
     Opposition MP Kev Hooper demanded in Parliament today that Hinze should resign. He tabled correspondence from high-ranking public servants, extracts from public records and the transcripts from a radio interview. "'Even a cursory glance at this evidence makes it obligatory that the Minister be asked to resign forthwith,' Mr Hooper said."

14-9-78 CM p3 news story 42 pars - Muckraking says Minister
     Local Government Minister Hinze accused Opposition MP Kev Hooper of muckraking after he had called for the Minister's resignation over the Gold Coast land rezoning. Hooper tabled documents which showed that after the council had recommended against the rezoning in 1976, the director of Mr Hinze's department had asked the council to have second thoughts on applicant Hinze's rezoning request. At a later date the council was sacked by Mr Hinze. An administrator was appointed and he dealt with the new rezoning application which came from a different landowner. This had been rushed through in six days instead of the normal three weeks.

14-9-78 Tele p7 news story 18 pars - Hinze wins Joh back up
     The Premier today refused to suspend Hinze or order an inquiry.

15-9-78 CM p2 news story 12 pars - Rezoning decision is backed
     Gold Coast Council administrator J. Andrews said the administration had acted in an open and honest manner in rezoning land at Burleigh Heads. "'The decision to rezone the land in question, in any case, rested with the State Government and not the administration,' said Mr Andrews." He said the minister had never approached him over the matter. The council was dissolved on March 4 and Mr Andrews appointed.

15-9-78 CM p2 news story 10 pars - The Opposition questions Hinze
     Mr Hinze was not in Parliament to answer nine questions on the rezoning from the Opposition based on documents tabled by Hooper. The Premier said there would be no inquiry.

15-9-78 CM p6 editorial six pars - Victorian land allegations
     Victorian MP Doug Jennings has made serious allegations about land and housing matters involving Victorian and Commonwealth government ministers. "Obviously the accusations must have answers."

20-9-78 CM p14 news story 16 pars - Hinze says No to land allegations
     Mr Hinze denied in Parliament that land rezoning documents had been falsified. "He denied that a meeting took place between himself and the Gold Coast City Council and members of the executive of the council for the purpose of arranging a back-dated application to the council for a rezoning application by a person named Varga." He denied that he had sacked the council so that he could get the land rezoned. He admitted the rezoning proposal was the subject of a full submission he had made to Cabinet.

20-9-78 Tele p3 news story 14 pars - 'Slimy' 'rotten' 'mongrel' talk
     Local Government Minister Hinze was asked in Parliament today if he, Gold Coast Administrator Andrews and a secretary had travelled to Hayman Island, what the purpose of the trip had been and whether it had taken place before a zoning application decision had been made on land owned by Mr Hinze. Mr Hinze said he would answer the question later.

24-9-78 SM p5 news story 12 pars - Land re-zoning change likely
     A change in the procedure for land rezoning applications is likely to be made soon. Proposed amendments to the Local Government Act would mean applicants would have to notify owners of adjoining properties in writing and display a sign on the property to be rezoned.

24-9-78 SS p23 news story 17 pars - Hinze bid to lower land cost
     A committee is being set up to examine land developers' claims that council laws are costing them millions of dollars a year. "Mr Hinze said councils should stay out of land development."

Key point

When analysed, the issue revolved around the rezoning. What assessment did an independent expert make of the grounds for changing the zoning and of the decision? Was the decision sensible and logical and in line with the council's past decisions, or did it appear to contravene policy and past decisions?

Key point coverage 

If independent, expert advice was sought, news of such advice was not mentioned in any newspaper.

Appraisal 1 

No newspaper isolated this key point.

Key point 2

Like Evans and his shares, and Bjelke-Petersen with his shares (Exoil and Comalco), this was yet another issue focussing on allegations of an alleged conflict of interest. In other governments the minister might have stood down while an independent inquiry was carried out. What calls were made for this course of action?

Key point coverage

The Courier-Mail on September 9 reported that the Premier had said there would be no inquiry. The Telegraph of September 13 said that in Parliament Opposition MP  Kev Hooper had called for Hinze's resignation, having tabled documentation which he said made resignation obligatory. Next day The Courier-Mail published a report on the debate under a headline and introduction highlighting Hinze's counter-attack on Hooper. The Telegraph of September 14 said the Premier refused to suspend Hinze or order an inquiry. The Premier's refusal was carried in The Courier-Mail of September 15.

Appraisal 2

The point was mentioned in five news stories. In three cases the accent was on the Premier's refusal to act in response to the allegations. Only two focussed on the point and one of those was headlined ‘Muckraking says Minister’ and focussed on Hinze's refutation. The Telegraph of September 13 focussed on Hooper's demand for Hinze's resignation and, therefore, qualifies under category one of the criteria. Its follow-up story could be said to amount to fulfilling the second of the criteria. The only editorial which dealt with land allegations appeared in The Courier-Mail of September 20 - and called for answers to accusations involving land deals in Victoria.

General analysis

No newspaper published an examination and analysis of the documentation tabled by ALP MP Kev Hooper in Parliament. No newspaper regarded this issue as important enough for even a short editorial. It appears that editors failed to regard the issue as exceptional, outrageous or unusual enough to merit comment. It may have been that conflicts of interest were now being regarded as a natural and unavoidable hazard of being both a successful businessman and Minister, which was the line being pushed by the Government. If editors disagreed with this line they did not express it on this occasion. The issue faded from newspapers with key points still unexplored.

Hindsight

Hinze continued to be a Minister until after the start of the Fitzgerald Inquiry. His dubious business activities filled 13 pages of the Fitzgerald report (1989: 103-116). Fitzgerald commented: "While a Minister of the Crown, Hinze, his wife or one or other of their companies was paid or lent more than $1.5 million by a number of individuals and companies involved in dealings with the Government, often in matters for which Hinze was ministerially responsible." The Burleigh Heads land featuring in this thesis was later the subject of an agreement with his friend Sir Leslie Thiess which resulted in two blocks of high rise units being built on the land while at the same time, the Winchester South coal concession was awarded to Thiess (Fitzgerald, 1989: 102/3).

CHAPTER !7 - NATIONWIDE ALLEGATIONS

Background

Over the years the media had reported on allegations against the Premier (including shareholding issues involving Exoil and Comalco), Minister Hinze (Burleigh Heads rezoning, Oxenford rezoning) and Police Commissioner Lewis (bagman allegations 1976, illegal drug conspiracy 1979). Publications alleging corruption and available to journalists included Reid (1971), James (1974), Lunn (1978), Wells (1979), Cribb and Boyce (1980) and Hughes (1980). Now, three police officers, a Member of Queensland's Parliament and the leader of the Australian Democrats made serious allegations involving corruption at high levels in the police force. 

The officers alleged on the ABC Nationwide television program there was corruption in the Queensland police force at very high levels. In Parliament, Opposition frontbencher Kev Hooper alleged Commissioner Lewis had interfered in a drink-driving case on behalf of National Party trustee Sir Edward Lyons and followed this up by naming Lewis and Assistant Commissioner Murphy as corrupt.

The issue received coverage in 65 news stories, 10 features, eight cartoons, seven columns, seven editorials and four letters between March 3 and April 18, 1982.

Total coverage

2-3-82 CM p5 feature 19 pars - Attempts to shackle the press
     H. A. Gordon, editor-in-chief of Qld Newspapers, wrote to the Australian Press Council regarding a complaint from Liberal MP Terry Gygar that a column by Lawrie Kavanagh contributed to the demise of the institution of Parliament and democratic procedures by accusing politicians of telling lies. Gordon wrote: "There are many members of parliament who would dearly love to shackle the press."

2-3-82 CM p5 feature 20 pars - The right to criticise
     "This is a society which, for obvious reasons, is sceptical about the abilities and motives of politicians...But politicians and their activities remain a fair target for newspaper opinion and comment, particularly where - as in Queensland - there is an imbalance of political power and a sizeable minority of the population lacks adequate political representation." Readers can make up their minds 'whether politicians are entitled to a shield from critical public scrutiny", Mr Gygar said last night: 'I maintain that if newspapers make accusations about impropriety in politics they should be specific, spell it out and back up their accusations.'

3-3-82 CM p1 news story 15 pars - Insults fly in House uproar
     There was uproar in Parliament yesterday when the Premier suspended standing orders to allow the Opposition to produce evidence of innuendoes, allegations and smears made during the Christmas recess. A 3½ hour slanging match followed in which Hooper was ejected for persistent interjections. Opposition frontbencher Kev Hooper called for the resignation of Commissioner Lewis and Justice Minister Sam Doumany over the alleged attempted cover-up of a drink-driving charge against National Party trustee Sir Edward Lyons.

3-3-82 CM p9 news story 21 pars - Hooper calls Lewis 'crook' in Lyons case
     Commissioner Lewis was described in Parliament yesterday as a corrupt crook by Hooper who called on him to resign over his role in the alleged drink-driving attempted cover-up of National Party 'bagman and trustee' Sir Edward Lyons. 

4-3-82 CM p1 news story five pars - MP wants inquiry
     Opposition frontbencher Kev Hooper last night repeated his call for a royal commission into the Queensland police force after two former police officers alleged on the ABC TV program Nationwide there was high level corruption in the force.

4-3-82 CM p3 news story 21 pars - No intention of resigning, says Lewis
     Commissioner Lewis said yesterday he had no intention of resigning after Hooper's attack in Parliament. Lewis denied the allegations. Police Union secretary Merv Callaghan said the union had the fullest confidence in Lewis.

4-3-82 Tele p3 news story 15 pars - Show me on 'graft' - Hinze
     Police Minister Hinze today challenged former police officers Robert Campbell and Kingsley Fancourt to produce sworn evidence to substantiate their claims of corruption high in the Queensland police force. In a ministerial statement to parliament, made in response to claims by the men on the ABC program Nationwide last night, Hinze said the men had deliberately set out to destroy the credibility of their former colleagues. Hinze said Campbell was a bludger, a professional student and the author of an underground newspaper called the Woolloongabba Worrier. Fancourt was the former mining warden at Anakie who had used his position to gain some of the best mining leases available. Hinze said Campbell's former colleagues had described him as a malcontent. In December Campbell had assured the head of the internal investigation section that he had no knowledge or suspicion of any corruption in the force. 

4-3-82 Tele p4 political column 29 pars 
     The Opposition made many allegations in Parliament on Tuesday of corruption. Kevin Hooper named Commissioner Lewis as having been involved in an attempt to interfere in the due process of a drink-driving offence involving National Party stalwart Ted Lyons. Other allegations involved police taking bribes to allow gambling and prostitution to flourish. "The media, strangled by defamation laws, will soon forget all about it, the government contends... Opposition leader Ed Casey said: "This government is on the nose. There is a smell about it. It is the smell of corruption... The Opposition allegations will go nowhere until new facts are revealed."

4-3-82 Tele p8 editorial 10 pars (16 sentences) - DOING DAMAGE
     The Queensland Parliament is a disgrace. When the Premier told the Opposition to put up or shut up on the subject of corruption there was 3½ hours of political name-calling that would put the average street-brawler to shame. There might be corruption in the Government but the ALP has not managed to find any real evidence. Some Opposition members are starting to sound like the boy who cried 'wolf'.

5-3-82 CM p1 news story 17 pars - Hinze offers police inquiry
     Police Minister Hinze late yesterday offered to inquire into allegations by two former policemen of corruption in the force. The two former policemen have alleged police involvement at the highest departmental levels in illegal gambling, prostitution, drugs, SP bookmaking and almost every kind of illegal activity. They are Robert Campbell and Kingsley Fancourt. Earlier, Hinze had dismissed their allegations as a cock and bull story concocted by two malcontents with a grudge against the force. Then he said: 'If these two men are prepared to put their allegations to me by sworn affidavit, I'll have the matter looked at...' Mr Campbell's allegations include that senior police were masterminding much of Queensland's criminal activity, with corruption flourishing because corrupt police had the full protection of the National Party. Three detectives comprised a rat pack who co-ordinated pay-offs. Hooper said he was in contact with two serving officers who were prepared to tell any formal inquiry of police corruption. Hooper said he was prepared to give the names of corrupt senior police, including the officer known as the Godfather of organised crime in this State.

5-3-82 CM p10 news story 20 pars - Joh rejects calls for police probe
     Premier Bjelke-Petersen rejected Opposition calls for a Royal Commission. "To Opposition calls of 'It's a whitewash again', Mr Hinze said he had discussed the constables' allegations yesterday morning with the Police Commissioner, Mr Lewis, and senior officers. 'I am satisfied that there is no truth to these accusations and that both men have set out to destroy the credibility of their former colleagues,' he said." Hinze said that throughout his career Campbell appeared obsessed with what he regarded as corrupt activities in the police.

5-3-82 Tele p5 news story 10 pars - 'Radio active' over Russ
     Brisbane talkback radio programs were clogged by callers criticising the attitude of Police Minister Hinze to allegations of high level corruption and calling for a Royal Commission.

5-3-82 Tele p14 news story seven pars - 'Swear' call to ex-police
     The State Government said there would be no inquiry until the two former police officers gave sworn evidence of times, dates and places of alleged corruption. But Campbell said on ABC last night that he had already provided an 11 page document which clearly outlines corruption in high places. Hinze said: 'No affidavits, no inquiry.'

6-3-82 CM p10 news story 15 pars - Independent inquiry into police urged
     The Queensland Council for Civil Liberties called for an independent inquiry into the police force. A spokesman said such an inquiry would reveal the 'true story' of the Sir Edward Lyons incident. Liberal Party state president John Herron called for the creation of an independent tribunal to hear complaints against police.

6-3-82 CM p3 cartoon 
     A man is happy to hear Police Minister Hinze - portrayed as a pugnacious dog - say: 'I know of no illegal gambling, graft, corruption in the police...' But the smile is wiped off his face when Hinze adds: 'Honest'

7-3-82 SS p5 news story five pars - Call for inquiry
     Labor frontbencher Kev Hooper has called for a royal commission into allegations of police corruption following allegations made by two former police officers. Police Minister Hinze said yesterday that police had been unable to find the two men for further details of their claims.

7-3-82 SS p32 cartoon
     Russ Hinze, the Minister for Police, Local Government and Racing is drawn as a police officer, mayor and jockey in the style of 'hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil'.

7-3-82 SS p32 column 12 pars - Hinze logic wide of mark
     It is hard to discern logic in Hinze's reaction to allegations of police corruption. "The former policemen's charges include public assertions that corruption flourished in the Police Force because of the full protection of the National Party, of which Mr Hinze is a prominent member, police involvement at high departmental levels in 'almost every type of illegal activity' and co-ordination of pay-offs to policemen by three detectives known as The Rat Pack...If what this man alleged on television is true, he would have to be mad to disclose what he knew to another policeman."

7-3-82 SS p35 column one par 
     Some police know there are illegal casinos in the Valley. A prominent sportsman seen leaving a 'non-existent gambling den' was asked by a passing police officer if he had won.

8-3-82 CM p3 news story 13 pars - Last chance, says Hinze
     Hinze offered what he called the last chance for Campbell and Fancourt to prove their allegations. So far they have not responded to his call to make sworn statements. Hinze said he had seen a document sent to Attorney-General Doumany last year by Campbell in which allegations were made. "According to government sources, the Solicitor-General's office had assessed the report in these words: 'All in all, the document is characterised by vagueness and innuendo. He (Mr Campbell) does suggest that a further statement would be forthcoming if confidentiality can be respected."

8-3-82 Tele p6 news story six pars - HINZE 'WILL GET PROOF'
     Campbell will hand Hinze a sworn affidavit alleging police corruption. Opposition frontbencher Hooper said he had recommended this action to Campbell. Fancourt might do the same if he can be contacted.

8-3-82 Tele p8 editorial 8 pars (17 sentences) - POLICE AND POLITICS
     Hinze's attitude is not good enough. "Ever since the enforced departure of the former Commissioner, Mr Whitrod, there has been a growing feeling of disquiet about the Queensland police force...If public confidence in the Queensland police force is to be restored, it will happen only after a complete, open, honest inquiry. No longer is it sufficient for Cabinet Ministers to rely upon the result of policemen investigating policemen."

9-3-82 CM p9 news story 12 pars - Hinze decision due on police graft inquiry
     Hooper said Mr Campbell's affidavit would be delivered as requested by Mr Hinze but it would not detail names and dates because this could lead to a cover-up.

9-3-82 Tele p1/7 news story splash 35 pars - 'Let me lay it on the line'/HINZE SAYS NO TO INQUIRY
     Hinze told Parliament today there was no credible evidence to justify unleashing a royal commission on allegations of corruption in the force. He said a statutory declaration by Campbell said nothing, did nothing and meant nothing. An earlier 11-page document containing allegations of corruption was said by the Solicitor-General to be characterised by vagueness and innuendoes. Campbell's 'Woolloongabba Worrier' contained the language of a lavatory wall and in one edition he had said shocking things about the Commissioner and the secretary of the Police Union.

10-3-82 CM p1 news story 15 pars - Joh backs Hinze on police ruling
     Premier Bjelke-Petersen defended the performance of Police Minister Hinze, whose removal had been sought by Liberal president Herron. Herron sparked a brawl between the Liberals and Nationals when he said that the police deserved a better deal than the one Mr Hinze had given them in recent months. "Mr Hinze had said there were no illegal casinos on the Gold Coast and no illegal gambling in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley area and no corruption. Dr Herron said: 'That is not what is known within the community. The portfolio should be handed to someone who can cope’."

10-3-82 CM p1 news story 14 pars - Lawyer says Hinze right
     One of the three members of the 1977 Criminal Law Inquiry, barrister Des Sturgess, said he agreed with Hinze's refusal to hold a royal commission because of a lack of material. Sturgess said he had talked with Hinze recently about implementing recommendations made by the 1977 inquiry and he was encouraged.

10-3-82 CM p4 editorial 13 pars - Cleaning up the police
     "The State Government would delude itself to believe that Queenslanders think all is right with the police force...Ministers, if they are not blind to responsible citizens' concern about the police force, should recognise that this does not result merely from the recent claims of police corruption by two former policemen on a television program." By doing little about the recommendations of the 1977 Report the Government "gave corrupt and dishonest policemen the green light". If the Government really wants a clean force its first act should be to adopt the major findings of the 1977 Report.

10-3-82 CM p4 feature 37 pars - What the criminal law inquiry said
     The 1977 Report said things were far from well within the criminal justice system, with police planting evidence and inventing admissions. 

10-3-82 CM p4 cartoon
     Big Russ, the sheriff, sits pugnaciously on his rocking chair on the sidewalk flanked by two gun-wearing deputies with heavy stubble, cigarettes dangling from lips and hats pulled over their eyes. A dwarfed man stands in the road with a document headed 'Graft allegations - Campbell' and sweats as Hinze beckons: 'Why don't you step inside and talk it over with me and the boys?'

10-3-82 CM p11 news story 11 pars - No probe into police force
     Hinze told Parliament yesterday there would be no royal commission. He said a statutory declaration signed by former officer Campbell was a face-saver. Hinze said: "It proves beyond any shadow of doubt that Campbell and K. Fancourt (the second former policeman involved) do not have the evidence to back their wild and unfounded allegations."

10-3-82 Tele p1/5 news story splash 22 pars - TOP-TWO TALKS ON QLD LAW INQUIRY
     Minister Hinze and Commissioner Lewis will meet barrister Des Sturgess to revive the findings of the 1977 Criminal Law Inquiry. None of the 57 recommendations were implemented. Sturgess said they were needed now more than ever but that "allegations of corruption distracted from the real debate about the force". He said unsubstantiated allegations did enormous damage to the force. Premier Bjelke-Petersen said the government was satisfied the allegations were groundless. It was understood the Premier might be contemplating a permanent and independent tribunal to investigate all complaints against police.

10-3-82 Tele p8 feature 17 pars - The police furore/57 recommendations that sit on the shelf
     Recent allegations of corruption in the higher echelons of the police have revived debate about the 1977 Criminal Law Inquiry report. The inquiry looked at allegations of corruption and criminal law procedures. None of the 57 recommendations was adopted.

10-3-82 Tele p8 feature 24 pars - Allegations that sound familiar
     The recent allegations of corruption sound familiar.

10-3-82 Tele p8 editorial 11 pars (17 sentences) - A POOR ENDING
     "It looks as though the furore over allegations of corruption within the Queensland police force has ended for the time being." This is unsatisfactory because even before these allegations the police were suffering from a lack of credibility. None of the recommendations of the 1977 Inquiry was adopted and this made it too easy for dishonest officers to abuse the system. "And equally, it is too easy for mischievous, unsubstantiated allegations of corruption to be made against honest policemen." It is time to implement the recommendations of five years ago.

10-3-82 Tele p15 news story 13 pars - ALP fails in attack on Hinze
     A motion of no confidence in Police Minister Hinze proposed by Opposition Police spokesman Bob Gibbs failed to get debated in Parliament today. The Premier accused the Opposition of working with activists and communists in attempting to destroy the police. He said the State had the best force and the best commissioner.

11-3-82 CM p13 news story 15 pars - Liberals propose complaints tribunal
     The Liberal Party yesterday called for the establishment of an independent tribunal to hear complaints against members of the police force. But Premier Bjelke-Petersen said the existing police internal investigation unit was effective. Civil Liberties Council president Terry O'Gorman said a royal commission would be unnecessary if the state had a system of independent investigation of complaints against police. Queensland Bar Association president Bill Pincus QC said that "If barrister Mr Des Sturgess had expressed support for the Police Minister, Mr Hinze, the association's committee would not like it to be thought his views were representative of the profession, Mr Pincus said.

11-3-82 CM p14 news story 16 pars - Doumany: Police report 'very soon'
     A Parliamentary committee reviewing the Lucas Criminal Law Inquiry report was expected to make recommendations very soon, Justice Minister Sam Doumany told parliament yesterday. When Opposition leader Ed Casey asked in Parliament about the whereabouts of a Scotland Yard report on corruption in the Queensland force, the Premier replied that the Labor Party was completely controlled by the Communist Party. He said the State had the best police and the best commissioner and Mr Hinze worked very closely with them. When Opposition police spokesman Gibbs sought leave to move a motion of no confidence in Hinze he was defeated. Hinze said outside he was delighted Parliament had been given the opportunity to express its confidence in the way he was handling his portfolio.

11-3-82 Tele p8 editorial three pars - FIVE YEARS LATER
     The Premier wants to know all the details of the Criminal Law Inquiry before he commits himself. As a former police minister and as the man who ordered the inquiry he should know the details well enough.

11-3-82 Tele p8 cartoon 
     Police Minister Hinze is shown leaning on a wall amid dustbins, empty bottles and rats while saying to two slouching police: 'We gotta improve our image...let's throw a booze-up for the media!'

12-3-82 CM p9 news story 11 pars - Solicitors call for police 'watchdog'
     Queensland Law Society president Rob Hill said the time was right for the creation of an independent authority to investigate complaints of police misconduct.

14-3-82 SM p22 letter 11 pars - WANTED: POLICE WE CAN TRUST
     'Concerned Citizen' wrote to say the police commissioner had recently finished a letter by asking what did the public want. I would suggest that primarily the public would like to trust in a force which administers the law fairly to all sections of the community. 

16-3-82 Tele p9 feature 27 pars - NO WHITEWASH/...says deputy Police Commissioner Mr Les Duffy
     The number of complaints against police in Queensland dropped by 50 per cent in the first four months of this financial year. Duffy said: "There is often speculation about appointing an outside body to investigate police. But anywhere this has been tried a 'blue barrier' goes up, as police close ranks. They have given outsiders what is called 'mushroom treatment' - keeping them in the dark...We are determined to keep our own house clean."

17-3-82 CM p4 editorial three pars (four sentences) - Police inquiry
     The concept of police investigating police is not a healthy one. There should be an external investigation system.

18-3-82 CM p3 news story 13 pars - Corrupt police group claimed
     "A small, long-established group within the police force was involved in illegal gambling, SP bookmaking and prostitution, a Queensland police officer alleged last night." The officer had served for 15 years and was middle-ranking. A high-ranking officer controlled the corrupt group. He said an internal investigation could be a whitewash. The officer doubted if anyone had concrete evidence. Opposition frontbencher Hooper renewed his calls for an open inquiry and called for an independent team of investigators to investigate these allegations.

18-3-82 Tele p12 news story 14 pars - Meeting on 'graft' charges
     The Police Union executive was in emergency session today discussing the latest allegations of police corruption made on ABC TV last night. The general secretary described the allegations as utter tripe. On Nationwide an officer claimed a high-ranking officer controlled a group of police which was involved in illegal gambling, SP bookmaking and prostitution. He could not prove his allegations because he was not a member of the group.

18-3-82 Tele p1 news story splash 20 pars - POLICE TRIBUNAL BID BY HINZE/Judge head?
     Hinze said he would ask Cabinet next week to establish an independent ongoing tribunal to hear complaints against police. He again rejected calls by Kev Hooper for a royal commission into the force. Hinze again attacked the ABC program Nationwide which last night carried more allegations from a police officer about corruption. Hooper said that former and serving officers had made serious allegations and they required the legal protection that only a royal commission could give.

19-3-82 CM p1 news story 27 pars - 2 ex-police may face tribunal
     Hinze said there had been no evidence to substantiate allegations of police corruption but because the media was repeatedly raising the matter, the air had to be cleared. Hinze said he would ask Cabinet to create a police complaints tribunal. It was reported yesterday that Des Sturgess had resigned from the Bar Association because of his stand over the police allegations. The Opposition called the tribunal a toothless tiger and a kangaroo court. Queensland Council for Civil Liberties president Terry O'Gorman said it would not be independent and would not work. But the Law Society and the coalition parties welcomed it.

19-3-82 CM p1/3 news story 21 pars - A wary 'yes' by police
     Police have warily accepted the proposal for a police complaints tribunal. "The allegations of corruption on television by former and serving officers - allegations yet to be backed by evidence - were taking an enormous toll of policemen and their families."

19-3-82 Tele p5 news story nine pars - Penalty clause for tribunal
     Legislation to create a permanent tribunal to investigate complaints against Queensland police may contain penalty provisions for those who make false, frivolous or malicious complaints.

19-3-82 Tele p8 cartoon - VIEWING THE WEEK
     Hinze leans belligerently on a table opposite a police officer. Readers are reminded: 'The police minister is to set up a tribunal to investigate complaints against the police...' Hinze is saying: 'Needn't mean we'll actually investigate the police...but we'll put the cleaners through the nuts that complain.'

19-3-82 Tele p3/8 feature 35 pars - We have to bend the law:      Police/A policeman's lot is not a happy one/...says an assistant commissioner
     Some Queensland police bend the laws and legal procedures to secure convictions but inadequate laws have compelled policemen to be dishonest - that was the thrust of the 1977 inquiry report. Some of the 57 recommendations were, in fact, adopted. But the important ones were not.

19-3-82 Tele p13 news story 10 pars - Change the law: Sturgess
     The way to an honest police force in Queensland was the reform of antiquated laws which occasionally required police officers to act dishonestly, barrister Des Sturgess said today. He said the solution was not to set up Royal Commissions or tribunals.

19-3-82 Tele p13 news story eight pars - Police union 'a tool of govt'
     Opposition frontbencher Kev Hooper attacked the Police Union for accepting the proposed permanent police complaints tribunal. Hooper said the tribunal would be worthless and the union should be condemned for accepting the proposal.

20-3-82 CM p4 news story 10 pars - Cabinet to set rules on police tribunal
     On Monday Cabinet will set the guidelines for the planned standing tribunal to investigate complaints against police. It is known that Police Minister Hinze is keen to have a deterrent to stop baseless allegations. There have been "weeks of allegations in Parliament and the media, of high-level police corruption".

20-3-82 CM p3 cartoon
     A fierce and snarling bulldog (Hinze) has been persuaded by circus 'lion tamer' Sparkes (the National Party official) wielding a whip to jump on to a small, low circular podium marked 'tribunal'. There is applause but the audience wants more. In the background is a much higher podium marked 'judicial inquiry'.

21-3-82 SS p2 news story 10 pars - NEW TALKS ON POLICE PROBE
     Leading criminal lawyer Des Sturgess will meet Hinze again tomorrow as Cabinet decides on plans for its new standing tribunal for complaints against police. "The new meeting with Mr Hinze comes amid reports of criticism from sections of the Queensland Bar following his recent opposition to a royal commission into allegations against senior police. Mr Sturgess refused to comment on rumours that he had resigned from the Queensland Bar Association...In Brisbane last night Labor frontbencher Kev Hooper described the proposed new tribunal as a kangaroo court in which witnesses would be intimidated by the prospect of defamation proceedings."

22-3-82 CM p4 editorial 12 pars - A police tribunal
     "The promise of the Police Minister, Mr Hinze, to ask State Cabinet to set up a tribunal to hear complaints against police could be an important step towards shielding the public from possible police malpractice." But does Hinze want a body that can punish critics of the police or a truly investigative body? There should be full protection against defamation action. "...the important thing is that investigation of public complaints against police must no longer be a closed shop procedure, with police investigating police." The Opposition should continue to prod the Government for this must produce a result.

22-3-82 CM p10 news story 19 pars - Police 'fear federal style tribunal'
     Civil Liberties Council president Terry O'Gorman said the Police Union feared the creation of a truly independent police complaints investigatory body such as the one being set up federally.

22-3-82 Tele p3 news story 11 pars - CABINET OK FOR TRIBUNAL
     Cabinet today approved the creation of a police complaints tribunal. Hearings would not be held in public. Any investigations would be carried out by the police internal investigation section - as now.

22-3-82 Tele p8 feature 37 pars - The brotherhood syndrome
(feature on training police)

23-3-82 CM p1 news story splash 28 pars - Barrister, judge tipped for tribunal
     Mr Justice Andrews and barrister Des Sturgess are being considered for membership of the police complaints tribunal. A police union representative will be the third member. Cabinet decided that when the tribunal decided on an investigation the matter would be referred to the police internal investigation unit for action. The Premier said Mr Sturgess was being considered. He also said there would be no privilege over what was said before the tribunal. Opposition leader Ed Casey said the tribunal was an elaborate hoax and no amount of window dressing would hide the fact that police would investigate police. The failure to grant privilege to witnesses would deter people from coming forward.

23-3-82 Tele p8 feature 27 pars - Police and lawyers.../JUST WHOSE SIDE ARE THEY ON?
     Barristers believe police fabricate evidence while police are convinced unscrupulous barristers coach defendants to say the right things at the right time. Des Sturgess said court cases had degenerated to theatrical events where the prizes went to the best liars.

23-3-82 Tele p19 news story nine pars - 'I will name policemen' - Hooper
     Opposition frontbencher Hooper said today he would name in Parliament two senior police he alleged had links with illegal gambling, SP and prostitution rackets. He said this was the only way to gain a royal commission instead of the complaints tribunal which was an elaborate deception by the government.

25-3-82 CM p3 news story seven pars - Police Bill nears completion
     Legislation enabling the creation of a police complaints tribunal could go to Parliament as early as next week.

25-3-82 CM p4 feature 34 pars - Does it take a cop to catch a cop?
     Police Minister Hinze said that if non-police investigators examined complaints against police they would come up with nothing. He said witnesses would receive qualified privilege.

26-3-82 Tele p10 news story 10 pars - Police chief in shire poll row
     Assistant Commissioner Syd Atkinson said he was proud to support a National Party candidate in the local elections by appearing on his election pamphlets in uniform praising the candidate for his youth work.

28-3-82 SS p3 news story 15 pars - DECISION ON COP INQUIRY TEAM
     Three men have been chosen as members of the police investigation tribunal. The Police Union gave the tribunal its backing as long as all investigations continued to be handled by the force's internal affairs unit.

29-3-82 CM p4 letter seven pars - Police tribunal 'a political manoeuvre'
     A.E. Pearse wrote to say the newspaper's editorial of March 22 had made the vital points that police complaints investigations should not be closed shop affairs, and that witnesses must receive full protection. "The Government's proposals, as outlined by the Premier, satisfy neither of these conditions." The scheme has become a means of discrediting the ALP rather than a judicial procedure to investigate corruption.

29-3-82 CM p4 letter seven pars - Protection needed for policemen
     Fay Smith wrote saying she was a policeman's wife and police needed some protection from people maligning police with no proof.

30-3-82 CM p1/2 news story 34 pars - Police corruption at top says Chipp
     "Australian Democrats leader, Senator Chipp, yesterday claimed to have evidence of corruption at high levels in the Queensland police force."  Police Minister Hinze said Cabinet had authorised the preparation of legislation creating the tribunal. The tribunal would have the option of conducting its own inquiries by summonsing witnesses but otherwise the existing police internal investigation unit would carry out inquiries. Privilege from defamation will apply if evidence is given in good faith. Hinze attacked Chipp, saying the only thing he would be remembered for was trying to have marijuana and pornography legalised. 

30-3-82 Tele p3 news story 10 pars - Hinze 'open book' offer
     Hinze invited Opposition members to a private briefing on the provisions of new laws creating the police complaints tribunal. 

31-3-82 CM p13 news story 14 pars - Police tribunal to go ahead
     In Parliament yesterday the Opposition failed to postpone legislation to set up the police complaints tribunal. Hinze said that public confidence in the force had slipped because police had been unable to defend themselves from a smear campaign.

1-4-82 CM p2 news story nine pars - Bid to alter police tribunal
     Opposition police spokesman Bob Gibbs said the Opposition would propose several alterations to legislation setting up the police complaints tribunal but "generally the Opposition supported the move".

1-4-82 CM p4 letter seven pars - Plea to support the police
     Mrs M.G.James wrote to say someone should speak up on behalf of the police and "our very capable learned Police Commissioner Mr Terry Lewis".

1-4-82 Tele p4 political column 25 pars 
     The hard evidence needed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that corruption exists would have to be of the red-handed variety - a photo, tape recording or corroborated statement that an officer had been seen taking money for giving SP bookmakers, prostitution and gambling racketeers protection from prosecution. But Nationwide's persistence led to Hinze proposing the complaints tribunal. It is now up to the complainants to go to the tribunal.

2-4-82 CM p3 news story 32 pars - Police chief admits 'help' for Lyons
     Police Commissioner Lewis admitted yesterday he had arranged for Sir Edward Lyons to be dealt with by summons on the night he was stopped by police for alleged drink-driving. Hooper said: "Who are the criminals in the police force being protected? Let me tell you. None other than the Commissioner himself, Mr T.M. Lewis, and his Assistant Commissioner, Mr Tony Murphy.

2-4-82 Tele p8 cartoon - VIEWING THE WEEK
     Opposition frontbencher Kev Hooper is pictured with his arms deep in one of several dustbins. The caption says: 'And it's reassuring to the Queensland coalition that the ALP's tactics and sources of information are still in good hands...'

3-4-82 CM p1 news story 15 pars - ALP hits Hooper on credibility
     "The Labor Party's police spokesman, Mr. Bob Gibbs, last night cut the ground from under Labor's outspoken police critic, Mr. Kevin Hooper, on allegations of corruption in the force. Mr Gibbs said that Mr Hooper's allegations were causing a credibility problem for the Opposition."

4-4-82 SM p1 news story 9 pars - Labor row on police
     Labor frontbencher Kev Hooper yesterday accused colleague Bob Gibbs of 'an act of treachery'. Gibbs had accused Hooper on Friday of not substantiating allegations of corruption in the police. Hooper refused to be silenced by his leader Ed Casey, party president Denis Murphy and party secretary Peter Beattie. Hooper alleged in Parliament that Commissioner Lewis and Assistant Commissioner Murphy were protected criminals.

4-4-82 SM p3 news story 19 pars - POLICE CHIEF HITS BACK AT HOOPER
     Asst Commissioner Murphy said he had been slandered by Hooper and would put his record of police awards against the politician's any day. He said he had constantly waged war against the scum who ran massage parlours. The previous administration had laid charges against him in an attempt to silence him but the magistrate had thrown the case out of court.

4-4-82 SS p2 news story 28 pars - MP BLASTED IN TOP COPS CRIM CLAIM
     Deputy Police Commissioner Les Duffy said yesterday that Lewis and Murphy were not crooks. If they were, he would be a prize dill for letting them operate under his nose. Labor frontbencher Kev Hooper had alleged Lewis and Murphy were criminals. This had been denied on Friday by Labor police spokesman Bob Gibbs who said that Hooper's allegations were causing a credibility problem for the Opposition. Lewis and Murphy have issued writs against the former officers who made the corruption allegations and against the ABC.

4-4-82 SS p9 news story 15 pars - BRIBERY CLAIMS BY NQ COP
     A police officer was offered $110,000 in bribes to protect a cannabis-growing operation, it was alleged in Townsville Magistrates Court. He and another officer are charged with conspiracy to obstruct the course of justice.

4-4-82 SS p19 news story 11 pars - ALP HALTS COP FLIGHT
     Queensland ALP has acted swiftly to stop the fight between Kev Hooper and Bob Gibbs. Gibbs had said: "I don't deny Kev Hooper his right to make statements, but as Opposition spokesman, I can also put up alternative views which I believe are held by the majority of the Labor caucus." Works and Housing spokesman Hooper had responded by alleging Gibbs had been "probably the quietest Opposition police spokesman" he had seen in Parliament. Hinze said the Government was aware that a number of ALP members did not want to be associated with Hooper.

5-4-82 CM p9 news story four pars - Hinze backs police
     Police Minister Hinze backed Commissioner Lewis, Assistant Commissioner Murphy and Deputy Commissioner Duffy defending their integrity.

5-4-82 CM p14 news story 10 pars - Lib call to sack Hinze
     Members of the McPherson branch of the Liberal Party yesterday supported calls for the sacking of Hinze as police minister. Queensland Council for Civil Liberties president Terry O'Gorman said the complaints tribunal legislation had been conceived in secret and pushed through parliament in a matter of days.

5-4-82 Tele p5 news story eight pars - 'CLEAN' POLICE SUGGESTION
     Former Commissioner Whitrod said the first step in eliminating corruption should be the creation of an independent anti-corruption squad. Police should not investigate police.

6-4-82 Tele p3 news story six pars - HOOPER AND GIBBS RAPPED
     The ALP parliamentary caucus reprimanded frontbenchers Gibbs and Hooper today for having criticised one another. Gibbs, the police spokesman, had criticised Hooper for making allegations against Commissioner Lewis and Assistant Commissioner Murphy. Hooper had replied that Gibbs had made little impact.

7-4-82 CM p3 news story 16 pars - ALP rebukes MPs over public clash
     The State ALP caucus yesterday reprimanded Hooper and Gibbs for criticising one another. Hinze commented: "There was a clear feeling among ALP members that Mr Hooper had abused parliamentary privilege and the official police spokesman acknowledged this." It is believed that in caucus Gibbs was attacked for having gone with Hinze in the police plane to a race meeting at Toowoomba.

8-4-82 CM p1 news story 14 pars - Gibbs hitch-hikes into trouble
     State Opposition frontbencher Mr Gibbs has seriously embarrassed the ALP. It is understood he asked for a lift on a police plane with Racing Minister Russ Hinze to a Toowoomba race meeting. "Last year Mr Hinze gave an undertaking that he would not use the aircraft for ministerial business - unless the circumstances were exceptional."

8-4-82 CM p3 news story 14 pars - Allegations are hurting - Lewis
     Commissioner Lewis admitted that corruption allegations against him and his assistant commissioner Murphy were damaging the force. "But he said this damage to the police image was only in the eyes of some people and the allegations came from only one Member of Parliament...Mr Lewis said; 'It has been one MP out of 82, who has not, to the best of my knowledge, been supported by anyone else.'"

8-4-82 Tele p4 column 18 pars 
     Opposition members have made April fools of themselves over police corruption allegations.

10-4-82 CM p19 cartoon
     An MC announces 'the shadow minister for police' - and two figures walk through a door pushing for the lead.

11-4-82 SS p7 news story 13 pars - FLIGHT LANDS GIBBS A CHALLENGE
     Bob Gibbs is being challenged for his seat as a result of having flown with Russ Hinze in the police plane to the Toowoomba races.

11-4-82 SS p33 column one par
     A punter who is having a dispute with an SP bookie has lodged full details of the bookie with his bank in case of violence.

11-4-82 SM news story 14 pars - Gibbs' flight lands career in jeopardy
     Labor frontbencher Bob Gibbs had travelled to a Toowoomba race meeting in the Government's police plane with Police Minister Hinze and as a result he was facing a challenge for his seat from his campaign manager. Gibbs acknowledged he had made a mistake.

12-4-82 CM p3 news story eight pars - Gibbs hits 'smear tactics'
     Opposition police spokesman Mr Gibbs claimed a campaign had been launched to deprive him of nomination for his seat of Wolston. "He claimed that rumours were circulating that Police Minister Mr Hinze had a dossier on him that he would use as blackmail if he further attacked Mr Hinze in State Parliament."

14-4-82 CM p12 news story - Police tribunal chosen
     The identities of the three men chosen to serve on the police complaints tribunal were announced.

16-4-82 Tele p6 news story 13 pars - THE POLICE TRIBUNAL/Men who will hear complaints
     CVs of the complaints tribunal members.

18-4-82 SM news story 12 pars - NO POWER TO CLOSE PARLOURS
     In the past 10 years 'one of the State's top police officers, Assistant Commissioner Tony Murphy, has made four submissions to the State Government seeking the closure of massage parlours. A spokesman for Police Minister Hinze said there were no plans to close the parlours but the submissions - such as a ban on newspaper advertisements for parlours - were still being considered.

18-4-82 SS p20 news story 13 pars - BANK IS BROKE AT CASINO
     Gamblers have done what the police have failed to do for 24 years - close Brisbane's biggest illegal casino. "Its quiet green decor, attractive croupiers, free bar and smorgasbord services are used every night of the week bar Sunday." 

18-4-82 SS p37 column one par
     "One of the State's biggest SP bookies seen hob-nobbing with turf club executives and a man who has been quite outspoken in the past about the operations of SPs."

Key point 

The allegations were so serious that it is argued that an independent inquiry should have been essential.

Key point coverage

On March 4 The Courier-Mail reported ALP frontbencher Kev Hooper had repeated his call for a Royal Commission into the police after two former officers alleged on ABC television there was high-level corruption in the force. On March 5 The Courier-Mail told how Hooper had said he knew of two serving officers who would tell a formal inquiry of police corruption but a second story said the Premier had rejected calls for a Royal Commission. That afternoon the Telegraph reported that talkback radio programs were clogged by callers criticising police minister Hinze for  his failure to act on the police allegations and calling for a Royal Commission. But another story said the Government had said there would be no inquiry. The Courier-Mail on March 6 told how the council for civil liberties was calling for an independent inquiry and state Liberal Party President John Herron was calling for the creation of an independent tribunal to hear complaints against police. The Sunday Sun of March 7 told its readers that Hooper had called for a royal commission into allegations of police corruption following allegations made by two former police officers. 

A Telegraph editorial on March 8 said public confidence in the force could only be restored by a complete, open, honest inquiry. Next day the Telegraph reported Hinze as saying there was no credible evidence for an inquiry. On March 10 barrister Des Sturgess, who had beeen appointed by the government as a Lucas Inquiry Commissioner in 1977, was quoted in The Courier-Mail agreeing with Hinze's refusal to hold an inquiry. Another report in the same edition told how Hinze had said in Parliament there would be no commission. The Courier-Mail reported on March 11 that civil liberties spokesman Terry O'Gorman had said that a royal commission would be unnecessary if there was a system of independent investigation of complaints against police. The Courier-Mail on March 18 carried news that Hooper had renewed his calls for an open inquiry, complete with independent investigators. 

That afternoon the Telegraph carried Hinze's rejection of the call. A cartoon in The Courier-Mail of March 20 suggested the public still wanted a judicial inquiry. The Sunday Sun of March 21 said there had been reports that some sections of the bar were critical of Sturgess because of his opposition to a Royal Commission. The editorial of The Courier-Mail on March 22 said the Opposition should continue to prod the Government because this was sure to produce a result. On March 23 in The Courier-Mail Hooper said the only way to gain a Royal Commission was to name the senior police who were linked with illegal activities.

Appraisal

The point was referred to in 15 news stories, two editorials and a cartoon. Six of the stories involved opposition to an inquiry, one said that the need for an inquiry should not have arisen and one referred to the criticism of Sturgess. This left seven stories referring to the need for an inquiry - less than half. That is seven out of the overall total of 63 stories. Five of the seven were in The Courier-Mail, one in the Telegraph and one in the Sunday Sun. The Telegraph editorial of March 8 was unequivocal and strong in its support for an inquiry. The Courier-Mail editorial of March 22 put the onus on the Opposition to continu prodding the Government.. Although the issue continued to gain coverage, there were no further references between March 23 and April 18 to the need for an inquiry. All three newspapers met at least one of the watchdog criteria and The Courier-Mail did run more than one story focussing on the key point, thus qualifying under a second of the criteria but the coverage hardly amounted to a campaign.

General analysis

The day after two officers had been brave enough to go before the TV cameras to reveal to the public what they knew of corruption at high levels in the police force, the Telegraph concentrated entirely on the responses from Hinze and failed to give any summation of the allegations of corruption at a high level in the Queensland police force. 

In saying that there might well be graft in the Government but that the ALP had not managed to find any real evidence, the Telegraph editorial of March 4 carried a suggestion that it was entirely up to the Opposition to do the digging. It seems to have ignored the role of the press exercising critical scrutiny as highlighted by The Courier-Mail as recently as March 2.

When Hinze asserted there were no illegal casinos, journalists knew he was lying because many of them frequented the casinos and spoke about them openly to colleagues in newsrooms (personal knowledge gained from having worked as a journalist at the Sunday Sun newsroom from 1982 to 1990). If he was lying so brazenly about this, it posed questions about his general honesty and fitness for being a minister. This was not raised by any Queensland newspaper at this time.

The editorial in The Courier-Mail of March 22 talked about shielding the public from police corruption, not stopping it. In other words, the suggestion seems to be corruption would continue but the public would know nothing of it.

The issue disappeared from newspapers at the same time as coverage was given to the birth pains of the Police Complaints Tribunal. A column in the Telegraph of April 1 did point out that evidence needed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that corruption existed would have to be of the red-handed variety, and suggested, perhaps naively or with tongue in cheek, it was now up to corruption complainants to go to the tribunal. The problem with such a tribunal was that people involved in corruption do not very often make public complaints, which meant that the tribunal was not going to be an effective weapon in dealing with police corruption. But this was not explored by newspapers.

Hindsight

The annual report of the Police Complaints Tribunal for 1982 said the tribunal had decided to find out more about the allegations which had led to its establishment but the former officers had failed to make contact and on June 25, 1982, the tribunal had resolved to take no further action (p1). Despite this reliance on the former officers approaching the tribunal rather than the tribunal approaching them, the tribunal reported on page 2 that it had "itself initiated other inquiries" where allegations had become public knowledge. Why the tribunal could initiate inquiries in some circumstances and not others is not explained.

Fitzgerald found (1989: 82) that the Police Complaints Tribunal was "in concept, structure and systems, misconceived" and (290) that it had been set up as a facade for Government power, with a generally unsuspecting community being deceived. An obvious question is why this was not recognised at the time and given coverage in newspapers?  Fitzgerald explained (290) its role had been entirely dependent on the very institution into which it was meant to be inquiring. Its effect had been to mask rather than deal with police misconduct. It lacked effectiveness (292) and was regarded by corrupt officers as impotent. Fitzgerald said: "It is ineradicably tarnished with a deservedly poor reputation..." 

What newspapers almost certainly did not realise when reporting Sturgess's comments was that - according to Fitzgerald (80) - within a week of the allegations on ABC TV on March 3, "Lewis obtained permission from Bjelke-Petersen to retain Sturgess to advise on whether a charge of criminal conspiracy could be brought against those associated with the program". On March 10 Sturgess, identified as a member of the 1977 Lucas Inquiry and as a barrister, was reported in the media as backing Hinze in his decision that an inquiry should not be held. Further reports on Sturgess's stance followed.

CHAPTER 18 - THE POLICE PAEDOPHILE

Background

Publications which contained revelations of untoward Government behaviour which were now available to journalists included: Reid (1971), James (1974), Lunn (1978), Wells (1979), Cribb and Boyce (1980) and McQueen (1982). 

Since 1983, when the Nationals had gained full control of the Government without the need to form a coalition with the Liberals, a revitalised Opposition had been making concerted and telling attacks on various scandals. In November 1984 it became known there was evidence that a police constable, whose job in the public relations section involved him in working with young children, was allegedly a paedophile. Further, it was alleged the Commissioner had received 13 complaints about the constable in the previous two years; the Commissioner had lied to a television executive about the constable; and that a leak from his office had tipped off the constable to avoid a situation which could have led to him being charged.

The coverage of this issue extended from November 2 to December 27, 1984, and included 92 news stories, four columns, three features or backgrounders, five cartoons and nine editorials.

Total coverage

1-6-83 Tele p14 news story 12 pars - Tie-up with world racket - police
     A Sunshine Coast group had formed a club to supply young 'golden boys' for an international market, police said today.

2-11-84 CM p3 new story 10 pars - Media people in child sex inquiry
     A Brisbane radio announcer, a policeman involved in public relations and a journalist are being investigated by police for alleged child molestation and child pornography offences.

15-11-84 CM p3 news story 11 pars - Police to inquire on 'child molesters'
     The police internal investigation section is investigating claims that a police officer is involved with an alleged child molesting ring in Brisbane. During Parliamentary question time Police Minister Bill Glasson was asked by Labor MP Ron McLean: "Are you aware of widespread reports that a police officer has been involved with persons charged with offences against boys and that pornographic photos of this officer swapping uniforms with a male SEQEB employee posing in handcuffs in a compromising position have been circulated? These reports constantly state that the officer concerned has had his activities drawn to the attention of superiors without any action being taken. If this is correct, what action will you take to see that this officer is placed in a position where he can pose no threat to young boys?" Deputy Commissioner Syd Atkinson said there had been many rumours since a radio personality had been arrested two weeks ago. Mr Atkinson said the officer involved had been assigned to non-operational duties during the investigation.

15-11-84 DS p19 news story 12 pars - OFFICER FACES INDECENCY CLAIMS
     A Brisbane police officer is under departmental investigation following claims he is involved in an alleged child molestation ring. Deputy Commissioner Syd Atkinson said the investigation followed the arrest of radio announcer Bill Hurrey two weeks ago on charges of indecent dealing. Mr Atkinson said he was satisfied the speculation and rumour about the policeman was unsubstantiated. 

15-11-84 Tele p5 news story 22 pars - QUIZ OVER PC'S PHOTO IN RAID/1982 SEIZURE SPARKS CLAIM
     "State Police Minister, Mr Glasson, today faced a barrage of questions in State Parliament over claims that a policeman was shown in photographs seized in a consorting squad raid in 1982." A series of Opposition members asked Mr Glasson if he was aware of the existence of the photographs. He was also asked if the management of a television channel had sought an assurance from Commissioner Lewis 12 months ago that reports relating to the officer's behaviour were incorrect. Further allegations were made that the commissioner had told officers complaining about the matter that he did not care about the after-hours behaviour of the officer because he was doing such a good public relations job. Glasson said there had been suspicions raised about the constable's activities "for some considerable time". Opposition Leader Nev Warburton asked why there had been no action following the 1982 raid and why no action had been taken after the information was brought to the attention of the commissioner and other senior police.

16-11-84 CM p1 news story 21 pars - Child-offence allegations 'known since 1982'
     "The Police Department had been aware since 1982 of reports that a constable, responsible for police campaigns among children, was allegedly involved in offences against boys, the Police Minister, Mr Glasson, said yesterday." Opposition leader Nev Warburton asked Mr Glasson in Parliament if the constable's activities had been brought to the attention of senior police three years ago after a police raid on the home of Paul Breslin. Mr Glasson said he did not know if it was three years but there had been suspicion for a considerable time. Opposition police spokesman Wayne Goss asked if it was true that when Commissioner Lewis had been told of the allegations he had said he did not care what the constable did after hours because he was doing such a good job in public relations. Mr Goss then asked if it was true that a television station had sought an assurance from the commissioner about the officer and that Lewis had intimated that there was no foundation to the allegations and the officer had a clean bill of health. Outside Parliament Mr Glasson said he had been unaware of the allegations until the first question was asked in Parliament. "About eight parents have complained in the last two and a half years..." Mr Goss said: ‘I do not question the genuineness of Mr Glasson to pursue this matter. I am concerned that serious and vital information has been withheld from him until yesterday.’

16-11-84 Tele p3 news story 13 pars - GLASSON DROPS A CLANGER/Plea to protect children
     Police Minister Glasson told a press conference the name of the constable accused of being part of a four-man child molestation ring and then asked that the name should not be used by the media. He had said: 'There was no involvement of (name).'

16-11-84 Tele p3 news story 17 pars - 'Too obscene' to show
     A television current affairs program producer said photographs seized in a police raid in 1982 showed a police officer lying on a couch in a suggestive pose with his arm around a young man in a suggestive manner. In his opinion they were suggestive enough for departmental charges to be laid.

16-11-84 DS p3 news story 15 pars - APPEAL TO PARENTS ON EVIDENCE
     Police Minister Glasson appealed to the public to come forward with any photographic evidence that a police officer was involved in child molestation. Mr Glasson said there had been eight complaints from parents about the child molestation ring in two and a half years. "'The police officer has not been suspended and no action was taken regarding this constable earlier because a person is innocent until proven guilty,' Mr Glasson said."

17-11-84 DS p5 news story five pars - INFORMATION PLEA ON SEX CLAIMS
     Police Minister Glasson again pleaded for evidence from the public on the child molestation ring. He had already passed on some information to Commissioner Lewis. People should ring Glasson first.

18-11-84 SM p3 news story 23 pars - Police deny a 'cover-up' in child case
     There had been no cover-up in the case of the Brisbane policeman who has been accused of being involved in a child molestation ring, Commissioner Lewis said yesterday. Opposition leader Warburton and police spokesman Goss yesterday alleged a high-level cover-up and claimed complaints against the policeman had been going to Mr Lewis for the past two years. Lewis conceded: "The question of the photographs was brought to official notice about two years ago and was investigated thoroughly...I deny the suggestion that a number of confidential reports have been forwarded to the commissioner's office." Goss said he would like to ask Mr Lewis if he received a confidential report from the Juvenile Aid Bureau on the activities of the officer. Goss said he had been told parents had been told their sons could be charged with being accomplices or that they could be placed in care. "'Police have told me that as late as last Friday a police officer had attempted to make contact with one of the complainants in this matter and that this police officer was intercepted and warned off by other police.' Opposition members were told last week police were claiming that there had been at least 13 confidential reports to the commissioner on the police officer during the past two years.

18-11-84 SS p7 news story 14 pars - OUTRAGEOUS SAYS LEWIS
     Labor Party claims of a police cover up over a policeman's alleged involvement in a child molestation case were outrageous, Commissioner Lewis said. Opposition Leader Warburton said there had been a cover up by some ministers and senior police officers. Lewis said photographs of the policeman with boys had been brought to official notice about two years ago and had been thoroughly investigated. There was no evidence to bring charges.

19-11-84 Tele p8 editorial 12 pars - ABOVE BOARD
     "The Police Minister, Mr Glasson, has heard the rumours, both of vice and of official indifference bordering on dereliction of duty...There are, however, a number of worrying aspects, not the least of which is why Mr Glasson has had to go public, to appeal personally for information, instead of the more normal police method of investigation. This course of action has been dictated because of parliamentary questions by the Opposition members which suggest that these murky tales should have been investigated more than two years ago. The Minister should not have to be embroiled in a political row, but apparently people with information have despaired of obtaining action in any other way."

20-11-84 Tele p6 news story nine pars - 'NO QUERY' ON CONSTABLE
     The commissioner and senior police had 'no recollection' of any inquiry by a television channel in relation to a police officer allegedly involved in child molestation the police minister told Parliament today. Opposition spokesman Wayne Goss had asked if the management of the TV channel had sought an assurance about the constable's behaviour about 12 months ago. And he asked if the commissioner had given the constable a clean bill of health.

21-11-84 CM p1 news story 27 pars - Policeman involved in child pornography: Goss/Constable accused of vice
     A police raid on a home uncovered photographs of a police constable in compromising circumstances, Parliament was told yesterday. The raid followed a complaint from a 14-year-old youth that he had been abducted, drugged and sexually assaulted. Opposition spokesman Goss said Christian Brothers had complained to police that schoolboys had been paid large sums of money to pose for pornographic photos. "What disturbs the Opposition...is that this Government and the Commissioner of Police have allowed this officer to remain in a position of trust when it comes to the children of the community, notwithstanding numerous complaints and widespread concern over two years...The whole affair started between two and three years ago and police began complaining to the administration after the constable started taking cadets and young probationary officers down to Breslin's unit...They were taken advantage of whilst under the influence of liquor or drugs or both. Senior police were not interested and would not act." Evidence had become available at Christmas 1982 when police raided Paul Breslin's home. Complainants were now afraid to co-operate because the boys had been threatened with prosecution for being an accessory to an illegal act. A year ago four schoolboys who won a police essay competition were due to be chaperoned on their prizewinning trip to Hong Kong by the constable. The commissioner was urged not to let the constable go but he failed to intervene.

21-11-84 DS p3 news story 21 pars - CADETS MOLESTED, DOPED: CLAIM
     Probationary and cadet police officers were molested in a city home unit after being taken there by a constable in the public relations section, Parliament was told yesterday. No action had been taken by police. Opposition spokesman Wayne Goss said complaints by other members of the public relations section two years ago were the first in a long series about the constable. Mr Goss told Parliament it was alleged the constable had boasted to associates at a television station last weekend that he had been assured he would not be arrested. "'Despite the evidence and complaint, this Government and the Commissioner of Police promoted this constable into a position of trust with young people,' he said...on November 9, Redcliffe police took a complaint from a doctor who wanted protection for his son. The doctor said the constable was trying to contact his son and would try to visit him that night. 'The Redcliffe police agreed to co-operate and were preparing to charge the constable with any offence,' Mr Goss said. 'This information was communicated to the commissioner's office and the constable was tipped off’.”

21-11-84 Tele p3 news story six pars - I want photos today: Glasson
     The police minister today called on the commissioner to produce all photographs in the department's possession which involved links between a constable and a child pornography ring. He said he wanted to satisfy himself there had been no police cover-up as alleged by the Opposition.

22-11-84 CM p4 editorial nine pars (22 sentences) - Allegations are not answered
     "Mr Goss believes that senior police have not pursued this case with sufficient vigour: given the gravity of the allegation, it would be difficult to imagine a more damning condemnation."

22-11-84 CM p1 news story 16 pars - 'No evidence of constable' in porn photos
     Pornographic photographs shown to Police Minister Glasson contained no evidence of a police constable in compromising circumstances. Glasson had ordered Commissioner Lewis to produce the photographs. Glasson said Goss should either produce evidence or apologise to the force. Goss said that he had handed all Opposition information to Glasson who had complained to him that he had not been told of the constable's transfer.

22-11-84 DS p12 news story six pars - GLASSON DEFENDS COP PHOTOS
     Glasson said Opposition police spokesman Wayne Goss should apologise in Parliament for his allegations about a police cover up in regard to a constable.

23-11-84 CM p1 news story 11 pars - 'Enough evidence' to charge officer
     "Police had enough evidence to lay departmental charges against an officer who until recently was in a position of trust dealing with young people, the Police Minister, Mr Glasson, said yesterday." He said he had asked the commissioner's office for a report on why the constable had remained in his position when allegations had been known since 1982. Goss asked why, if others in the ring had been charged, the officer had been treated differently.

23-11-84 Tele p4 news story three pars - TV cop resigns
     Television personality Sen Constable Dave Moore has resigned from the police. He advised on safety issues for children on national children's shows.

24-11-84 CM p1 news story 18 pars - Policeman resigns as ALP urges porn probe
     "The State Opposition called yesterday for a judicial inquiry into allegations of a Queensland child pornography ring, after the resignation of a police constable allegedly involved." Glasson learned from the media of the constable's resignation. The commissioner did not tell Glasson until he rang to check whether the media report was correct. On Thursday Glasson said he had taken action to ensure that if there were any developments concerning the police constable he would be the first to know. Warburton said: "It is strange that the investigation of other people has been successful enough to charge them criminally. The public is entitled to an explanation as to whether a different course of action is proposed in relation to the police officer."  Goss said police had told him of 14 complaints against the constable.

24-11-84 DS p3 news story 13 pars - SEX CASE CONSTABLE QUITS/A.L.P. seeks inquiry
     A constable accused of being involved in a child pornography ring yesterday resigned from the force. Opposition Leader Warburton immediately called for a judicial inquiry. He said the inquiry should not be handled by the complaints tribunal, the commissioner or his appointee.

25-11-84 SM p1 news story nine pars - Glasson portfolio at risk?
     Senior Cabinet sources yesterday forecast that Police Minister Glasson could lose his portfolio in a New Year reshuffle because of a rift with the commissioner and the Premier's unhappiness with his handling of the present controversy.

25-11-84 SM p3 news story 11 pars - Policeman 'was treated harshly'
     "A policeman accused of involvement in a child pornography scandal had been treated harshly, the Police Commissioner, Mr Lewis, said yesterday."  Lewis had decided on Friday to use his discretion and make the policeman's resignation effective immediately. The officer had been a very hard worker for the department, said Lewis.

26-11-84 CM p1 news story 20 pars - Lewis criticised over vice claims
     Opposition police spokesman Wayne Goss said one must have a lack of confidence in commissioner Lewis because he had not denied that he had a longstanding knowledge of the constable. In the absence of an explanation the Commissioner stood condemned. Goss said the police minister had twice been kept in the dark over developments and that there was a serious breakdown in the administration of the force. The Opposition leader said a judicial inquiry should investigate the failure of police to act on complaints.

26-11-84 DS p7 news story 12 pars - NO EVIDENCE IN PHOTOS: SPOKESMAN
     A spokesman for Police Minister Glasson said photos of a constable contained no evidence to suggest he was involved in the abuse of children and there was not a shred of any other evidence. Opposition leader Warburton said: "Anything less than an inquiry headed by a judge of the Supreme Court would be neither appropriate or satisfactory."

27-11-84 CM p1 news story 12 pars - Police derelict on porn claims: Goss
     The police had hidden facts from the police minister, said Opposition spokesman Wayne Goss yesterday.

27-11-84 Tele p6 news story 15 pars - LIBS WAIT OUT ON CHILD PORN/Urgency motion in House today
     Grounds could exist for an inquiry into an alleged Brisbane child pornography ring, State Liberal leader Sir William Knox said today. But the Liberals would wait to see what kind of inquiry the Opposition was calling for before deciding whether to support the move. "Mr Glasson is understood to be concerned that the Police Commissioner, Mr Lewis, did not act in 1982 to remove the constable from duties involving contact with children."

27-11-84 Tele p1/5 news story splash 42 pars - POLICEMAN DROVE BOYS - PARLIAMENT TOLD/'Minister tells in TV    interview'/CONSTABLE DROVE BOYS TO HOUSE/Claim in tabled transcript
     Parliament was told today that Mr Glasson had admitted in a television interview on November 22 that a police constable had driven youths from a Brisbane school to the home of a man he knew to be a homosexual. He had also admitted that he believed there was sufficient evidence for the constable to be charged internally. And he had said: 'I must question how that officer, before this, had not been removed from that position because there must have been a cloud there.'  Glasson said if  Goss did not have any evidence to produce he stood condemned by every member in the House. "Mr Glasson denied claims by Mr Goss that police from the public relations branch of the force recommended to the Police Commissioner, Mr Lewis, against the constable being allowed to accompany schoolchildren to Hong Kong as part of his duties."

27-11-84 Tele p5 news story six pars - Name claims rejected
     A proposal to debate the need for a full judicial inquiry was defeated by the coalition parties.

27-11-84 Tele p5 news story 15 pars - Use of car breach of police rules
     Mr Glasson said the use of a police car to convey boys was a breach of police rules. Young police officers had allegedly been assaulted at another address. Mr Glasson said he had been advised that police had enough evidence to charge the constable internally.

27-11-84 Tele p5 news story four pars - KNOX CALL FOR INFO
     Liberal Party Leader Knox said he would move tomorrow that all information regarding the alleged involvement of a constable in a child pornography ring should be tabled in Parliament.

28-11-84 CM p1/3 news story 30 pars - Officer drove boys in police car: Glasson
     Police Minister Glasson told Parliament that police had known that a constable had used his police car to drive youths from a school to the home of a known homosexual. Glasson said there had been no complaints about the officer until a recent investigation of a radio personality. 

28-11-84 CM p4 feature 29 pars - Queries to police left unanswered
     Commissioner Lewis told The Courier-Mail: "...I am prevented by a number of legal and moral conventions from entering into any public debate on this matter." He declined to answer 14 questions, saying they were similar to questions due to be answered in Parliament tomorrow.

28-11-84 DS p3 news story 11 pars - NO EVIDENCE ON EX-COP: MP
     Police Minister Glasson admitted in Parliament yesterday that a former constable used a police car to ferry boys from a school to a city apartment.  Glasson said: "Mr Lewis said that as a result of the absence of evidence and the denials of the former officer, his excellent work record, and the presumption in law that a man is innocent until proved guilty beyond reasonable doubt, the young man was given the benefit of that doubt and was not removed from his position in the public relations branch."

28-11-84 DS p3 news story 10 pars - MINISTER SHOWN SEX PHOTOS: GOSS
     Goss claimed the Glasson had ignored damaging evidence in the shape of photographs which both had seen. Liberal leader Knox said police could not be expected to investigate police because of a tendency for passive resistance.

28-11-84 Tele p6 news story nine pars - Premier rules out Cabinet reshuffle
     Premier Bjelke-Petersen defended his police minister and the Commissioner over their handling of the child porn/constable issue.

28-11-84 Tele p14 news story 15 pars - GLASSON WANTS EX-COP'S INFO
     Police Minister Glasson today called on a former police constable allegedly linked to a child pornography ring to provide him with any information about others allegedly involved. In a ministerial statement he said: 'If indeed he is in a position to 'drop names' of anyone involved in this revolting trade he is the very person I wish to talk to to assist clear this matter up one way or another.' Mr Glasson said the officer should have provided the names before he left the force. "What I am urging this House to accept is that according to the Police Commissioner there is not one shred of evidence which would support the laying of criminal charges against him." When asked to provide the date when a woman had complained to police about her son being in a pornographic photo with the constable, Mr Glasson refused, saying he would not be part of kangaroo-court type justice. He refused to answer other questions about similar complaints.

29-11-84 CM p1 news story 15 pars - Parliament rises a day early, with 12 Bills unheard
     Parliament was adjourned a day early yesterday with 12 Bills not debated and will not resume until February 26. Opposition leader Nev Warburton said the adjournment was so that the Government could avoid Opposition questioning on child pornography allegations.

29-11-84 CM p2 news story 24 pars - Libs back probe call on child porn ring claims
     The Liberals joined the Opposition in calling for an independent inquiry into the child pornography ring and the involvement of a former police officer. The Liberals want the inquiry to be run by the Director of Prosecutions. Police Minister Glasson refused to answer Parliamentary questions which spelled out dates, names and places where it had been alleged offences had been committed and investigated by the internal investigation unit.

29-11-84 CM p4 editorial six pars (20 sentences) - Disquiet over police inaction
     Yesterday both the police minister and commissioner declined to answer this newspaper's questions. It would be difficult to imagine an issue of greater public importance affecting the Police Force...If parents can't trust police constables driving police cars, then who can they trust? Already there is significant public disquiet, matched by a marked suspicion that the police investigations have not been carried out thoroughly.

29-11-84 DS p2 news story 14 pars - OPPOSITION FURY AS HOUSE RISES
     State Parliament rose without warning last night for the Christmas break. Opposition leader Warburton said the Government had done so to avoid questions about the constable and the porn ring.

29-11-84 DS p7 news story 10 pars - EX-CONSTABLE URGED TO NAME RING
     Police minister Glasson called on a former constable to identify members of a child pornography ring. Glasson said the officer should have done so before he left the force.

29-11-84 Tele p3 news story eight pars - 'Cheers' gibe by Premier
     Parliament was adjourned last night at 11.30 until February 26. Opposition leader Warburton said the Government was trying to run away from the issue of the constable and the child porn ring.

29-11-84 Tele p8 column 37 pars - Just who IS running the police?
     "It became obvious, during well-orchestrated questioning from a number of Opposition members, that, while the Opposition did not have the hard evidence, its major complaint was that the Police Department was not vigorously pursuing complaints which had been made." At week's end one question remained: Who is running the Queensland police force - Glasson or Lewis?

30-11-84 CM p1 news story 18 pars - Glasson should retire over vice claims: union official
     A Police union official called on the Police Minister to resign over his handling of the issue. The official said rumours and stories about the constable had circulated in the force for years.

30-11-84 DS p11 news story 10 pars - POLICE IN ROW OVER MINISTER
     Police Minister Glasson had no control over the department and should resign said Police Union official Garry Hannigan yesterday. "'The Minister initially admitted to claims that the officer had been engaged in serious acts of misconduct,' Const Hannigan said. 'Now he is attempting to paint a different picture of 'no wrongdoing' on the officer's part...Mr Glasson has denied having any knowledge of the allegations until they were raised in Parliament. If this is so, then he is either being misled by the Police Department or he is incompetent.'"

1-12-84 CM p11 news story five pars - Child porn claims upset police
     A Police Officers’ Union spokesman said the executive fully supported the Commissioner and assured the public of its confidence in investigators handling the matter.

1-12-84 DS p5 news story two pars - Police cop criticism
     The public's faith in the police and Commissioner Lewis was being eroded by innuendo and rumours, the Police Officers' union said yesterday.

2-12-84 SM p22 news story 10 pars - Labor porn probe
     The ALP has received anonymous allegations that prominent people are involved in child pornography. The Law Society says the community and police officers are entitled to some further investigations of recent allegations. 

2-12-84 SM p26 column four pars 
     Allegations such as those raised about child porn should be dealt with openly and quickly without the appearance of a cover-up that always seems to precede government reaction. The procrastination and political face-saving that often seem to imply official sanction cause the damage, not the actions of an officer who is only human.

2-12-84 SS p10 news story 33 pars - Lewis to face quiz on PC/'It won't happen again I can assure you of that'
     Police minister Glasson said he wanted to know which senior officers had read a report on a police raid two years earlier in which pornographic photographs were seized. He said if he had been commissioner he would have transferred the constable involved. Opposition spokesman Goss said that despite evidence and complaints the Government and Commissioner had promoted the constable involved into a position of trust with young people. 

2-12-84 SS p51 column 20 pars - Glasson left to carry can
     Commissioner Lewis had been extraordinarily reluctant to keep the police minister informed of developments in the child sex allegations.

3-12-84 CM p3 news story 15 pars - Premier backs Glasson on child porn probe
     Premier Bjelke-Petersen said he had been briefed by Commissioner Lewis on the allegations of police involvement in child pornography. Such a briefing was not unusual because he discussed different issues from time to time with  Lewis. The Premier said his police minister had handled the issue suitably.

4-12-84 Tele p7 news story four pars - Union cop quits over Glasson
     A senior police union official has resigned after calling for the resignation of the police minister. His resignation was called for by the union executive which said he had not consulted the branches and therefore his stance was unrepresentative.

5-12-84 CM p15 news story 17 pars - Police union official quits over porn row
     Sen Const Garry Hannigan, the police union official who called for the resignation of the police minister, has resigned. The union executive feared the official's statement would ruin the union's relationship with the Government. "In his statement last week Constable Hannigan claimed there had been a cover-up on the child pornography investigation. He said the Police Commissioner, Mr Lewis, and his senior officers must have been aware of the rumours and complaints about a policeman for several years, but nothing was done." Constable Hannigan said yesterday he stood by his statement.

5-12-84 DS news story 14 pars - POLICE UNION FIRES LEADER
     A police union leader who called for the resignation of the police minister was yesterday forced to resign. 

6-12-84 CM p16 news story 11 pars - Startling new facts on child porn: ALP
     Opposition leader Nev Warburton said yesterday that startling revelations on child pornography and homosexual prostitution would surface.

6-12-84 DS p7 news story 14 pars - A.L.P. TO REVEAL CHILD PORN FACTS/Announcement soon
     Startling facts about child pornography in Queensland will be released within a week, the State Opposition said last night. The Opposition is pushing for a judicial inquiry.

6-12-84 Tele p2 news story four pars - HURREY FACES TEN CHARGES
     Queensland radio announcer William John Hurrey has been remanded until February on 10 charges alleging offences committed on boys.

7-12-84 CM p2 news story 11 pars - Glasson waits for legal view on child pornography case
     Mr Glasson said he was still waiting for a report from the Crown Law Office on whether a successful prosecution could be made against a former police constable.

7-12-84 DS p16 news story eight pars - Glasson hits Labor on porn
     Police Minister Glasson was challenged to produce his evidence now.

9-12-84 SM p50 column 21 pars - Open your eyes to the horror of sexual child abuse
     (Bishop Ian Shevill examines sexual abuse of children)

9-12-84 SS p15 news story seven pars - ALP GOES SILENT ON PORN
     Police yesterday interviewed Opposition leader Warburton over claims the ALP would reveal startling new details about child porn. He said he knew nothing more, only that there would be revelations this week.

10-12-84 CM p1/3 news story 32 pars - The men of evil who prey on children
     A child pornography and male prostitution racket is operating in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. Some of the children and prostitutes involved say the ringleaders pay off crooked police so the rackets can operate. More than 10 male prostitutes we spoke to identified the major drug supplier to 'street children' and homosexuals as 'Mick' of Inala. They claimed he was immune from police action because he was 'protected' by a senior officer.

10-12-84 Tele p1/2 news story splash 13 pars - CHILD PORN PROBE/police chief told to report/Minister calls for report on child porn
     Police Minister Glasson today called for an immediate report from the police commissioner on The Courier-Mail's allegations of child prostitution and child pornography rings in Brisbane. He expects the report on Thursday.

11-12-84 CM p1 news story 22 pars - 'Police porn link' probe by tribunal
     The Police Complaints Tribunal will investigate allegations that Queensland police officers are involved in child pornography and child sex. Police Minister Glasson said he had asked Commissioner Lewis to investigate the allegations in yesterday's Courier Mail and to report back by Thursday (13th). Other ministers said there was support in Cabinet for an inquiry into all allegations of child pornography and prostitution but the general consensus was to wait until  Lewis' report was studied. National Party President Robert Sparkes advocated a public inquiry.

11-12-84 CM p4 editorial eight pars (21 sentences) - Tribunal takes welcome step
     It is reassuring to discover that the Police Complaints Tribunal is to investigate the child porn allegations. "While it is difficult to believe that the Queensland Police Force did not know of these operations, it is more difficult to understand why they were not closed down...Two separate but related issues are involved: the extent of male prostitution, child sex and pornography rings, and the apparent lack of police action." The tribunal's inquiry will be held in camera and its report need never be made public. The police minister might find the only way out is to arrange an independent judicial inquiry.

11-12-84 CM p4 cartoon
     Two figures representing the police and government and wielding brooms are sweeping porn under the same carpet.

11-12-84 Tele p2 news story 16 pars - CHILD PORN INQUIRY/Evidence to be kept 'secret'
     The Police Complaints Tribunal inquiry into allegations of police involvement with child pornography and child sex would have the powers of a Royal Commission but would be held in camera in January. "The inquiry could also consider allegations relating to a former police public relations constable." The tribunal instituted the inquiry yesterday. Lewis has said that a thorough investigation was carried out at the time of the initial claims and no evidence was found to warrant either departmental or criminal charges. "The Opposition has also alleged that the Police Commissioner, Mr Lewis, knew of suspicions about the constable's activities up to two years ago, but did nothing to transfer him from duties involving children."

12-12-84 CM p1/2 news backgrounder 25 pars - Faction fight by police fuels porn allegations
     Allegations of a child pornography ring have been fuelled by police factions trying to discredit political figures and the Police Commissioner. A document handed to the newspaper made several allegations linking the Commissioner to figures in the paedophile ring. A question remains - why was no investigation launched into the conduct of the police officer when his activities had been known for two years and it was known he had used a police car to drive young boys to a homosexual's home? 

12-12-84 CM p1 news story 12 pars - Detectives raid two addresses
     Commissioner Lewis issued a statement saying that police had raided two premises last night after two months' intensive investigations into male escort agencies and possible links with child pornography.

12-12-84 DS p5 news story nine pars - POLICE RAID MALE ESCORT AGENCIES
     Police raided two Brisbane male escort agencies yesterday. 

12-12-84 Tele p1/2 news story splash 19 pars - Report for Commissioner/CHILD PORN MOVE/CROWN LAW ADVICE ON CHILD PORN
     Acting Solicitor-General K. Mackenzie has recommended that grounds exist for possible criminal charges against a former police constable allegedly involved in child pornography. "Mr Mackenzie's recommendations are likely to embarrass Mr Lewis following parliamentary claims that senior police knew of suspicions regarding the constable up to two years ago but took no action."

12-12-84 Tele p8 cartoon
     Commissioner Lewis stands on a street corner with two baffled officers under signs giving details of prostitutes, illegal gambling and drug dealing. He is saying: 'The trails gone cold...need more clues...go and get a newspaper!!'

13-12-84 CM p1 news story 11 pars - Legal report to Lewis: charge former officer
     The acting Solicitor-General has recommended that a former police constable should be charged with indecent assault and indecently dealing with youths. Warburton said Glasson still had to explain why action had not been taken as long ago as 1982.

13-12-84 DS p3 news story 14 pars - CHILD PORN REPORT TO BE STUDIED
     A Crown Law Office report on possible child pornography-related charges against a former police officer will be studied by the Commissioner today. Opposition leader Warburton said the question that still needed to be answered was why it had taken so long for moves to charge the former police constable to be initiated.

13-12-84 Tele p1/3 news story splash 14 pars - EX-POLICEMAN TO BE CHARGED/Child sex report/EX-COP TO BE CHARGED ON CHILD SEX
     A former police constable, alleged in State Parliament to be involved in child pornography, would be charged, Police Commissioner Lewis said today. One charge relates to winter 1984 and the other to late 1983. "Mr Lewis strongly denied any knowledge of allegations against the constable prior to this year. 'It must be clearly understood that all allegations involving the former police officer in alleged indecent assaults on youths did not come to my notice or that of any senior officer until the complainant youths were interviewed on November 8, 1984,' Mr Lewis said."

13-12-84 Tele p3 news story 10 pars - Glasson wants public inquiry on child porn
     Minister Glasson said he favoured an inquiry with public sessions headed by a judge. Fellow minister Harper said he also favoured an inquiry.

14-12-84 CM p1 news story 12 pars - Cabinet set to OK inquiry into child porn, prostitution
     Cabinet is expected on Monday to approve an inquiry into child pornography. It is planned to have a Supreme Court judge, barrister and community and welfare workers on the panel.

14-12-84 CM p1 news story 13 pars - Ex-constable: 2 charges
     Commissioner Lewis said yesterday a former constable would face two charges alleging indecent acts. "'It must be clearly understood that all allegations involving the former police officer in alleged indecent assaults on youths did not come to my notice, or that of any senior officer, until the complainant youths were interviewed on November 8, 1984,' Mr Lewis said."

14-12-84 CM p4 editorial seven pars (24 sentences) - Public inquiry is the answer
     State Cabinet should back Police Minister Glasson in his bid to establish an inquiry into child pornography and prostitution. "The Government should ensure that the inquiry is as wide as possible and as public as possible." The police commissioner has not emerged with distinction from the affair. He has given every indication that he is a man embarrassed by the turn of events. "Mr Lewis says he did not know of the allegations until November 8 this year. This in itself is incredible."

14-12-84 DS p3 news story 14 pars - POLICEMAN TO BE CHARGED
     A former policeman will be charged with two counts of indecently dealing with two youths.

14-12-84 DS p7 news story 10 pars - CABINET CONSIDERS PROBE ON VICE CLAIMS
     State Cabinet will consider setting up an inquiry into Opposition allegations that organised child pornography and prostitution rings are operating in Brisbane. Police Minister Glasson said he favoured a public inquiry headed by a Supreme Court judge. "A special meeting of Cabinet yesterday briefly considered a 24-page police report on the allegations of male prostitution, child pornography and police protection of the racket."

14-12-84 DS p8 editorial 11 pars - Porn probe wrong step
     Police Minister Glasson has been quick to advocate an expensive public inquiry into allegations of child pornography rings. "But it appears Mr Glasson wants to do something merely because he wants to be seen doing something. In general the report from Mr Lewis is said to confirm the existence of male brothels - a fact well known. It does not reveal any widespread organisation of child pornography...(police) should be encouraged to continue their investigations without having to deal with a public inquiry at the same time."

14-12-84 Tele p4 news story 10 pars - INQUIRY NO CERTAINTY - PREMIER
     Premier Bjelke-Petersen today cast doubt on the likelihood of an inquiry into child pornography and child prostitution. He said from Europe today he did not usually favour inquiries, that was why it was not a foregone conclusion. Acting Premier Gunn had been in touch with him about the issue. The proposed inquiry was endorsed yesterday by Police Minister Glasson.

14-12-84 Tele p12 news story four pars - Writ issued against newspaper
     Paul John Breslin yesterday issued a writ against the Telegraph seeking damages for alleged defamation on December 12.

15-12-84 CM p1 news story 11 pars - Police clamp on male 'pros'
     A police task force has been formed to clean up male prostitution. In London yesterday the Premier said the holding of an inquiry into child pornography and child prostitution was not a foregone conclusion. The Premier said: "I'm not usually in favour of inquiries."

15-12-84 CM p3 news story 12 pars - Porn 'inaction' denied by Lewis
     Commissioner Lewis denied last night that police should have acted earlier on the allegations referred to in Parliament. He denied that he or senior officers knew of allegations before this year. Nobody, including the people he worked for, had ever complained to Lewis or senior officers.

15-12-84 DS p3 news story three pars - Constable faces court
     A former police constable was yesterday served with summonses charging him with indecent assault on two youths.

15-12-84 DS p3 news story 16 pars - POLICE CRACK DOWN ON MALE VICE RINGS /Task force formed
     A special task force has been formed to stamp out male brothels. "Meanwhile, a bid by Police Minister Mr Glasson to establish an inquiry into child pornography appears headed for defeat...Most Ministers are opposed to the inquiry despite strong support from the National Party organisation."

16-12-84 SS p6 news story 43 pars - CHILD SEX RACKET/Glasson: I'll crush porn ring
     Police Minister Glasson said he would press as hard as he could to see justice done. ‘There will be no whitewash, no cover-up with me,’ he said. "Mr Glasson has made no secret of the fact he was embarrassed and disappointed with Police Commissioner Terry Lewis keeping him in the dark over allegations and claims by the Opposition." The State's two top lawmen - Glasson and Harper - will provide Cabinet with a detailed list of recommendations tomorrow.

16-12-84 SS p2 news story 14 pars - Vice czars face tough stand
     "State Cabinet will decide tomorrow on tough new measures to combat vice in Queensland after allegations of police involvement in child pornography and male prostitution." But some senior Government circles doubted that Cabinet would endorse Glasson's call for a public inquiry. Harper said he agreed with the Premier that a public inquiry was not a foregone conclusion and that there were very good reasons why one should not be held.

16-12-84 SM p3 news story 17 pars - Lewis blames disloyal police
     "A small group of incompetent and disloyal police was trying to undermine him, the Police Commissioner, Mr Lewis, said yesterday." He blamed them for a document that linked him and another senior officer with a man charged with sex offences. And he attacked them for not giving a colleague the benefit of the doubt when he was linked by politicians with child porn.

18-12-84 CM p1 news story 18 pars - Sturgess, QC, to inquire into child-vice claims
     Cabinet yesterday appointed prominent Brisbane barrister Des Sturgess to the newly-created $90,000 a year position of Director of Public Prosecutions; Queen's Counsel; and inquirer into allegations of child pornography and child prostitution in Queensland. "Cabinet sources confirmed last night that Mr Sturgess would be asked to investigate allegations raised in Parliament that senior police personnel were aware two years ago of allegations against a police constable involving children. The sources said Mr Sturgess would be asked to find out by whom the original allegations were made, to whom, what action was or was not taken and upon whose direction." Attorney-General Harper said of Sturgess: ‘He will not investigate. He will receive information and details...’ The inquiry was condemned by the Opposition as ineffectual.

18-12-84 CM p4 cartoon
     Two figures representing the Government and police walk away from a corner where 'porn pawns' sit near a shadowy figure with a camera. They walk past a billboard announcing 'porn inquiry?' towards 1985 Year of the Youth.

18-12-84 CM p5 feature 24 pars - Sturgess - no tame-cat prosecutor
     "The Queensland Government could not have done better than appoint leading criminal barrister Mr Des Sturgess to its new position of Director of Public Prosecutions."

18-12-84 DS p2 news story 14 pars - BARRISTER TO PROBE CHILD PORN/State job created
     "The extent of child pornography and child prostitution in Queensland is to be gauged by the State's first Director of Prosecutions." Cabinet appointed Des Sturgess to inquire into Opposition allegations that child pornography and male prostitution rings are operating. Deputy Premier Gunn said Cabinet ruled out a public inquiry because it did not want a process which would go on forever." Justice Minister Mr Harper said: 'Mr Sturgess won't have the power to subpoena witnesses and won't be acting in the role of investigator. That's the role of the police. But he will have the power to obtain any relevant information from the police force.'" Opposition spokesman Wayne Goss said Cabinet's failure to set up a judicial inquiry showed it was more worried about potential embarrassment for itself than child pornography. "The suggestion that concerned police and parents can go and tell Mr Sturgess what they know is nothing more than a cynical token of an inquiry...Mr Sturgess will find great difficulty in conducting a serious inquiry if he has no powers of investigation and no power to summons witnesses."

18-12-84 DS p8 editorial nine pars - Wise move over porn
     "State Cabinet acted wisely in taking decisive action to settle allegations that a widespread child pornography ring is operating in Queensland...Police Minister Mr Glasson's proposal of a public inquiry into the allegations was doomed from the beginning as an exercise in excess. The main stumbling block Queensland police have encountered in their investigations has been the refusal by members of the public to come forward with evidence. They have chosen instead to feed information to the State Opposition, hoping the anonymous allegations would prompt action against other citizens. But evidence must be proved and those supplying the evidence must be reliable...Cabinet has done its part and Mr Sturgess has assured the Government he will leave no stone unturned."

18-12-84 Tele p1 news story splash seven pars - SEX CHARGES MAN IN COURT
     David Warren Moore appeared in the magistrates court on two charges of unlawfully, indecently assaulting youths between October 1983 and October 1984.

18-12-84 Tele p5 news story 14 pars - STURGESS - I'M NOBODY'S LACKEY
     Director of Prosecutions Des Sturgess said today that community interest demanded that the report of his inquiry into child prostitution and pornography should be made public. He did not have the power to subpoena people or call people before him. "If claims of alleged police involvement in child pornography and prostitution were presented to him as part of his inquiry he would consider them, Mr Sturgess said."

18-12-84 Tele p8 cartoon 
     Premier Bjelke-Petersen stands dishevelled with an almost bristleless broom holding up the edge of a patched carpet which covers a large and stinking pile of rubbish with several bits of evidence not quite covered up. Behind him are the things he is trying to sweep, including the child porn ring allegations. A bystander asks: 'Whaddya reckon? New carpet - or new broom!'

19-12-84 CM p1 news story 31 pars - Sturgess: Publicise my findings on child vice
     Sturgess said the findings of his investigation should be released to the public. He said: "The modern pimps’ form of soliciting is to advertise in newspapers. You can put them out of business by stopping advertising. I know now what I am going to recommend in this area."

19-12-84 CM p4 editorial eight pars (22 sentences) - The right man for the job
     "The inquiry into child prostitution and pornography...is not the kind of inquiry proposed by the Police Minister last month, but this may be no bad thing. Of all the legal talent available, the Government could not have made a better selection."

19-12-84 DS p3 news story 20 pars - GLASSON MAY LOSE POLICE POST
     Police Minister Glasson may be axed from his portfolio over his handling of child vice allegations. Police officials were criticised by Ministers for failing to act against male brothels. Des Sturgess began probing the allegations yesterday.

19-12-84 DS p5 news story 10 pars - MAN APPEARS ON SEX COUNTS
     Former policeman Dave Moore appeared in Brisbane magistrates court charged with indecent assaults on boys.

19-12-84 Tele p8 editorial 13 pars - HARD JOB FIRST UP
     Added to Des Sturgess' abilities in tackling his inquiry "are the powers the State Cabinet has allowed him. The terms permit him to request any police records he needs, and he can direct investigations. Above all, he will be available for members of the public in an official or a private capacity to discuss any details they may have."

19-12-84 Tele p8 cartoon
     Sturgess is a giant bloodhound sniffing around a squalid corner amidst dustbins, prostitution, child porn and rugs. A figure that may be the Premier says 'I think he's on to something!' to which a police officer looking the other way asks 'Where?' But the dog, although big, is still leashed, with the Premier hanging on with both hands.

21-12-84 Tele p2 news story 14 pars - CHILD PORNO - DETAILS SHOCK JUDGE
     Judge Pratt said he had been 'pretty pleased' with the co-operation of the police in the Police Complaints Tribunal inquiry into misconduct, improper conduct or neglect of duty by members of the force. He said it was likely some of the findings would overlap with Sturgess.

23-12-84 SS p2 news story 19 pars - MINISTER FINDS KEY TO OPEN DOOR ON VICE
     Bill Glasson said it had been his idea to ask Des Sturgess for help on the child porn issue.

23-12-84 SM p5 news story nine pars - Our crime fighters in 'front rank' - Lewis
     Queensland has one of the best crime-fighting police forces in the world, according to Commissioner Lewis.

27-12-84 CM p2 news story 11 pars - Child exploitation level alarms police
     "Sexual and pornographic exploitation of children has become a major problem in combatting juvenile crime, according to the annual report of the Police Department circulated last week." Because of the frequency of child exploitation cases a squad of four officers has been attached to the child abuse unit to specialise in these investigations.

Key point 1

It was alleged Police Commissioner Terry Lewis himself had been made aware of what the officer was doing for two years but had, for some reason, repeatedly covered up for the officer or taken no action. If this was true, the Commissioner may well have left himself open to criminal charges.  

Key point coverage

It was not until the third paragraph of a story in the Telegraph of November 15 that it was reported that Police Minister Bill Glasson had been asked if the management of a television channel had sought an assurance from Commissioner Lewis 12 months before about the officer's behaviour. It had been alleged the Commissioner had told officers complaining about the alleged paedophile's activities he did not care because the officer was doing such a good public relations job. Opposition Leader Nev Warburton was reported as asking why no action had been taken following the discovery by police in 1982 of what a television producer called 'suggestive photos' of the officer, a constable? And why had no action been taken after the Commissioner had been told.

Under the headline "Child-offence allegations 'known since 1982'", The Courier-Mail of November 16 reported Police Minister Bill Glasson had admitted the Police Department had been aware since 1982 of reports that the constable was allegedly involved in offences against boys. It was not until the sixth paragraph that the story mentioned the Police Commissioner, carrying his alleged quote that he did not care what the constable did after hours because he was doing such a good job in public relations.The Courier-Mail said Commissioner Lewis had intimated to the TV channel that there was no foundation to the allegations and Lewis had told Opposition police spokesman Wayne Goss that the officer had a clean bill of health.

The Sunday Mail of November 18 carried a story that the Opposition had been told that police were claiming there had been at least 13 confidential reports to the commissioner about the constable in two years.

The introduction of a story in the Telegraph of November 20 said senior police had no recollection of any inquiry by a television channel alleging a police officer had been involved in child molestation. It was not until the fifth paragraph that it became clear that the story dealt with a Parliamentary question that referred specifically to whether the Police Commissioner himself - not senior police - had been asked by the television channel for an assurance that reports of the police officer being involved in child molestation were incorrect. The same paper again referred to "claims that senior police knew of suspicions regarding the constable up to two years ago" in the first paragraph of a story on page two which was being continued from the page one splash of December 12.

The Opposition had suggested the Commissioner had been asked the question about a year earlier and had given the constable a clean bill of health. The Courier-Mail headline of November 21 did not mention the key point but the story carries a quote from the Opposition saying that it was disturbed that the constable had been allowed to stay in his position of trust by the Commissioner and the Government despite numerous complaints and widespread concern for two years. The Opposition had alleged boys had been threatened with prosecution for being accessories if they complained and that a year earlier the Commissioner had been urged not to let the constable chaperone four boys on a trip to Hong Kong but had failed to intervene. 

The Daily Sun of November 21 reported that in Parliament the Opposition had alleged that when the commissioner's office had been told that Redcliffe police were about to take action against the constable, he had been tipped off. The Courier-Mail on November 26 said Opposition police spokesman Goss had criticised the Police Commissioner for his role in the child pornography controversy. The Commissioner had not denied that he had a longstanding knowledge of the constable and he therefore stood condemned. The Opposition called for a judicial inquiry.

On November 27 the Telegraph reported that it was understood the police minister was concerned that the commissioner had not acted in 1982 to remove the constable from contact with children. In another story on the same day the Telegraph reported how Parliament had been told that five days earlier the Police Minister had said on television he had to question why the constable had not been removed from his position because there must have been a cloud there. The Minister denied claims that the Commissioner had received a recommendation that the constable should not chaperone boys on a trip to Hong Kong. 

The Daily Sun reported on November 28 that the Police Minister had told Parliament that the Commissioner had said that the constable had been given the benefit of the doubt for a number of reasons, including an absence of evidence. The Courier-Mail reported on November 28 it had asked the Police Commissioner 14 questions about the controversy. None of them asked if the Commissioner had known about the constable's involvement with young boys for two years and, if so, why had he done nothing.

The Sunday Sun on December 2 quoted Police Minister Glasson as saying if he had been commissioner he would have transferred the constable while an investigation was made. The Courier-Mail reported on December 5 how a police union official had been forced to resign because of a statement he had issued the previous week which said the commissioner must have been aware of what was going on. Halfway through a story in the Telegraph on December 11 readers were reminded that the Opposition had alleged the Commissioner had known for two years of the constable's activities but had done nothing. 

On December 12 unsubstantiated allegations linking the Commissioner to the paedophile ring were mentioned in The Courier-Mail. The Telegraph said in a news story on December 12 that a decision by the acting Solicitor-General that there were grounds for the constable to be charged were likely to embarrass the Commissioner following claims that senior police had known of suspicions regarding the constable for two years. The Telegraph of December 13 and The Courier-Mail of December 14 carried a statement by the Commissioner that he had known nothing of allegations against the constable until November 8 that year. On the same day The Courier-Mail editorialised that the Commissioner had not emerged with distinction from the affair. He had given every indication that he had been embarrassed. The editorial said: "Mr Lewis says he did not know of the allegations until November 8 this year. This in itself is incredible." This message was underlined in The Courier-Mail on December 15 when the Commissioner denied he or senior officers had known of the allegations against the constable before this year and he denied that complaints had ever been made to him. The Sunday Mail of December 16 quoted the Commissioner blaming a small group of incompetent and disloyal police for a document that linked him with a man charged with sex offences. 

Appraisal

The coverage amounted to 18 news stories, one editorial and a backgrounder. The Telegraph and The Courier-Mail covered the key point in their reports of Parliamentary question time of November 15 but neither mentioned the Commissioner's role in headlines or introductions. There was no follow-up next day. The Sunday Mail failed to mention the Commissioner early in its story of November 18 or in the headline but later in the story made the startling claim that the Commissioner had received at least 13 reports on the constable.The entire emphasis of the first half of the story was the Commissioner's denial of anything untoward.

It is worth examining the information available to newspapers at a fairly early stage of the controversy. Hansard (1984: 2618 and 2664-73) showed the media had much material available from the proceedings of November 20. It was suggested in a Parliamentary question that the management of a television station had sought an assurance about a year earlier from the Police Commissioner that reports in relation to the constable were incorrect and that the Commissioner had said there was no foundation for the reports (The constable had worked in police public relations and appeared regularly on Channel Seven.) Opposition spokesman Wayne Goss told how when the constable persistently tried to seduce a Redcliffe youth and promised to visit the family home, the youth's father was assured by Redcliffe police that they were prepared to charge the constable when he arrived. Goss said the Commissioner's office had learned of the trap and the constable had been tipped off. On another occasion the Commissioner had chosen the constable to chaperone four high school students to Hong Kong. Goss said that by then there had been numerous complaints. Because of this, staff were concerned about the constable's selection and Snr Sgt Brian Johnston had sent a recommendation to the commissioner that this should not happen. But the constable got the job. Goss said he had been told that the previous weekend the constable boasted to his associates at the Brisbane TV channel from where the program to which he contributed was broadcast that he had been assured he would not be charged.

With this wealth of material from which to choose, The Telegraph's nine paragraph story on that day referred only to the assurance sought by the management of a television station but the headline and the first three paragraphs dealt with police denials. The Courier-Mail's 27-paragraph story next day included only the Hong Kong trip, detailed in just four paragraphs. The Daily Sun's 21 paragraph story of the same date mentioned the constable's boast in paragraph seven. Four paragraphs near the end of the story dealt with the Redcliffe incident.

It was November 26 before The Courier-Mail carried criticism of the Commissioner by Opposition spokesman Wayne Goss - lifting the quotes from Channel 0's Meet the Press rather than interviewing him. The newspaper had not sought him out for his views. Next day the Telegraph reported how Parliament had been told by Goss of what the Police Minister had said on another television program five days earlier. On November 28 the reports of the Daily Sun and The Courier-Mail from Parliament were based on the Police Minister's defence of the Commissioner.

Once Parliament had risen for the year the newspapers were left to their own resources. The Sunday Sun's story of December 2 was basically an interview with Police Minister Bill Glasson which did not deal with the Commissioner's involvement with the constable. The story in The Courier-Mail of December 5 referred to a Police Union official's complaint that the Commissioner must have known of the rumours and complaints about the constable for several years. This accusation had been contained in a press release issued the previous week but had been ignored by all newspapers. No other newspaper picked up the accusation and The Courier-Mail did not follow it up.

The Telegraph gave three more mentions to the point, one briefly in passing, one which is a denial by the Commissioner and one which said the Commissioner was likely to be embarrassed. The Courier-Mail and The Sunday Mail canvassed anonymous allegations linking the Commissioner to paedophiles. The Courier-Mail twice carried denials from the Commissioner. 

Examining the coverage objectively it could be argued that there was not one mention of this key point in an editorial. However, on December 14, near the end of a long editorial, The Courier-Mail did say: "Mr Lewis says he did not know of the allegations until November 8 this year. This in itself is incredible." 

The coverage does not meet any of the watchdog criteria.

Key point 2

If the Commissioner was alleged to be implicated, it was essential that an independent investigation should have been launched to ascertain the facts. How much coverage did newspapers give to calls for such an investigation?

Key point coverage

The Courier-Mail of November 24 reported that the Opposition was calling for a judicial inquiry into allegations of a Queensland pornography ring and the failure of the police to act on complaints. On the same day, the Daily Sun carried a headline about the ALP seeking an inquiry, over a story in which Opposition Leader Warburton called for an inquiry and said it should not be handled by the Police Complaints Tribunal. The Daily Sun of November 26 carried a quote from Opposition leader Warburton demanding an inquiry headed by a judge. This demand was also carried by The Courier-Mail of the same date. Even Liberal leader Sir William Knox admitted in the Telegraph of November 27 that grounds for an inquiry could exist. But the same newspaper reported that in Parliament a proposal to debate the need for a judicial inquiry had been defeated. The Courier-Mail reported in November 29 that the Nationals’ coalition partners the Liberals agreed that an independent inquiry was necessary. It was reported in The Courier-Mail of December 3 that the Premier had backed his Police Minister's refusal to hold an inquiry. 

The fact that the Opposition was pushing for a judicial inquiry was included in a Daily Sun story on December 6. On December 11 The Courier-Mail said the Police Complaints Tribunal would investigate complaints that police were involved in child pornography. There was support in Cabinet for an inquiry into allegations of child pornography and prostitution, ministers said. And even National Party President Sir Robert Sparkes advocated a public inquiry. On the same day, The Courier-Mail also carried an editorial suggesting: "The police minister might find the only way out is to arrange an independent judicial inquiry." And also on the same day, the Telegraph carried a story that the Police Complaints Tribunal would hold an inquiry - but in camera. 

The Telegraph said on December 13 that two ministers, Police Minister Bill Glasson and Attorney-General Neville Harper, favoured an inquiry. On December 14 the Daily Sun said Cabinet would consider setting up an inquiry, with Minister Glasson favouring a judicial inquiry. The Daily Sun headlined its editorial that day "Porn probe wrong step", suggesting the Police Minister was advocating an inquiry only so that he was seen to be doing something. The editorial argued the police should be allowed to continue their investigations. The Courier-Mail of the same day forecast that Cabinet would actually approve an inquiry headed by a judge into child porn and prostitution. And in an editorial it said State Cabinet should back its police minister in his bid to establish an inquiry. The Government should ensure the inquiry was as wide and public as possible. And the editorial was critical of the Commissioner. 

That afternoon the Telegraph said in a headline "Inquiry no certainty - Premier". Next day The Courier-Mail reported the Premier as saying an inquiry was not a foregone conclusion. And the Daily Sun reported most Ministers were opposed to the inquiry despite strong support from the National Party organisation. The Sunday Sun on December 16 said some senior Government circles doubted if Cabinet would agree to an inquiry. On December 18 The Courier-Mail reported barrister Des Sturgess had been appointed to discover who had been involved in the lack of action by police but that he would not be in a position to investigate - only receive information. The Daily Sun on that day carried similar information and also criticism from Opposition police spokesman Wayne Goss of the failure to set up a judicial inquiry. It editorialised that the plan for an inquiry had been doomed from the beginning as an exercise in excess. The Telegraph of December 18 said Des Sturgess did not have the power to subpoena people but he was nobody's lackey. On December 19 The Courier-Mail carried a story saying Sturgess wanted his findings made public and an editorial which said the Sturgess Inquiry was not the sort proposed by the Police Minister in November but this might not be a bad thing. The Telegraph editorial of December 19 said that added to Sturgess' abilities were the powers given to him by Cabinet to request police documents. The paper also carried a telling cartoon. The Police Complaints Tribunal investigation was reported in the Telegraph of December 21.

Appraisal 2

Mention of an inquiry was carried in 21 news stories, seven editorials and a cartoon. On December 18 news of the Sturgess non-investigatory inquiry was carried in the morning newspapers. What sort of pressure had newspapers exerted before this point? Before the ALP called for an inquiry on November 23 - eight days after the story broke - no newspaper had suggested one.

The Courier-Mail reported the ALP's call on November 24. The last seven paragraphs of 20 on November 26 dealt with the ALP demand for an inquiry. Three days later it headlined the fact that the Liberals were also calling for an inquiry. It was December 11 before the paper told how the Police Complaints Tribunal would hold an inquiry and that there was support in Cabinet and at National Party HQ for an independent inquiry. By now an expose on male brothels had appeared in the paper. A long editorial on the issue finished: "The Police Minister might yet find that the only course out of the mess is to hand the whole affair over to an independent judicial inquiry." This was neither well-reasoned nor a demand for action. On December 14 the paper reported that Ministers Bill Glasson and Neville Harper wanted an independent inquiry. This time the editorial carried the headline "Public inquiry is the answer". The editorial stated that Cabinet should back Glasson's efforts to establish an inquiry and it should be as wide and open as possible. The Courier-Mail may have failed to mention the need for an inquiry before the Opposition raised the issue but it then fulfilled the first two watchdog criteria. It did not meet the third criteria because it failed to focus on the point frequently in follow-up stories.

The Daily Sun also reported the ALP's call on November 24. The last four paragraphs of 12 on November 26 dealt with the ALP demand for an inquiry. A 14 paragraph story on December 6 included one paragraph mentioning the call for an inquiry. On December 14 the paper carried a major story on the likelihood of Cabinet setting up an inquiry, telling how Ministers Bill Glasson, Neville Harper and Bill Gunn would meet to arrange details. But the Daily Sun's editorial was strongly against an inquiry. The newspaper met the first of the watchdog criteria.

The Telegraph of November 27 said the Liberals were waiting to see what the Opposition was doing before committing itself  to a decision on an inquiry. On December 11 a page lead was devoted to news of the Police Complaints Tribunal investigation, to be held in secret. Two days later it reported that Ministers Glasson and Harper favoured an independent inquiry. It could be argued that the paper had recognised the key point in its story of November 27 but the story merely said the Liberals were sitting on the fence over the issue.

None of this reportage amounted to any sort of campaign in regard to the key point but in reporting the ALP's demand for an inquiry it could be argued the newspapers had met the first watchdog criteria.

The Government then announced the Sturgess non-investigatory inquiry, which drew strong criticism from Opposition police spokesman Wayne Goss. This was a time when strong editorials, calling for a full, open and wide-ranging inquiry, were needed. It was a time for objective reporting. It is worth noting how The Australian handled the story. The headline on December 18 read "Cabinet rejects idea of public inquiry into child pornography". The story,by George Langley, read: "The Queensland Government yesterday decided against holding a public inquiry into allegations that a child pornography and prostitution racket existed in Brisbane. Instead, State Cabinet decided that Queensland's new director of prosecutions, Mr Des Sturgess, would "receive information" into the allegations. But Mr Sturgess will not have the power to investigate or to subpoena witnesses. "He will not be acting as a commission of inquiry," the Attorney-General, Mr Harper, said...

The story, on December 18, continued with strong criticism from Goss.

But in an 18 paragraph story in The Courier-Mail about Sturgess' appointment it was not until the 11th paragraph that it was revealed Sturgess would not be able to investigate - after a quote that he would act in a capacity which would instil confidence in the people of Queensland.

Next day the paper said Sturgess wanted his findings made public. The paper carried just one more editorial - saying the inquiry was not the sort proposed by the Police Minister but it might not be a bad thing. Sturgess was confident he had the resources he needed.

The Daily Sun's December 18 story it the holding of an inquiry was 14 paragraphs long. It was not until the eighth paragraph that the story revealed that Cabinet had ruled out a public inquiry because, said Police Minister Bill Gunn, "We don't want a situation like Blue Hills where it will go on forever." Then came news of the lack of powers. It carried another anti-inquiry editorial, saying the idea had been doomed from the start.

Later that day the Telegraph carried a headline which said Sturgess was nobody's lackey. The 11th of 14 paragraphs quoted Sturgess saying that despite not being able to subpoena people he felt he was adequately equipped. He wanted his findings made public. On the 19th the Telegraph carried one final editorial - apparently without tongue in cheek - saying that added to Sturgess's qualities "are the powers the State Cabinet has allowed him." There was also a cartoon. Sturgess was a giant bloodhound sniffing around a squalid corner amidst dustbins, prostitution, child porn and drugs. A figure that may have been the Premier says 'I think he's on to something!' to which a police officer looking the other way asks 'Where?' But the dog, although big, is still leashed, with the Premier hanging on with both hands.

General analysis

On November 29 The Courier-Mail summed up the issue. It missed the key point involving the Commissioner's alleged inactivity for two years but included enough disquieting information for it to say: "It would be difficult to imagine an issue of greater public importance affecting the Police Force." With pressure on the Government mounting it had closed Parliament for the year a day early. The Police Minister and the Police Commissioner were refusing to answer a list of questions submitted by the newspaper. And yet the lengthy editorial made not one tiny plea for an inquiry into the issue. The Daily Sun not only failed to meet the watchdog criteria, it opposed an inquiry on December 14, saying it appeared Mr Glasson wanted to do something merely because he wanted to be seen doing something and that police should be encouraged to continue their investigations without having to deal with a public inquiry at the same time. This missed the point that there had been a complete failure by the police to investigate the constable for two years. On December 18 the Daily Sun returned to this theme to say Police Minister Glasson's proposal of a public inquiry into the allegations had been doomed from the beginning as an exercise in excess. 

It was an indictment of the editorial writers, columnists and feature writers or of the defamation laws, or both, that three cartoons said what no one else had managed to say. On December 11 The Courier Mail cartoon alleged police and government were working together to sweep the porn issue away from public view and discussion rather than dealing with it. On December 18 the Telegraph cartoon alleged that this was only the latest of many issues which stank of corruption to be covered up, with the Premier himself superintending this cover-up. And next day the Telegraph cartoon alleged that although Sturgess was determined, someone, possibly the Premier, had not given him the total freedom he needed.

When Parliament was closed a day early, on November 29, with Opposition Leader Nev Warburton alleging the Government had done so to avoid further questioning on the issue, no newspaper went further than carrying a news report of the early closure in its next edition.

The issue of the paedophile police officer disappeared from newspapers with both the Police Complaints Tribunal and Sturgess supposedly examining it.  But no newspaper spelled out exactly what terms of reference governed those inquiries, nor gained any promises about outcomes. 

The Government was successful in creating a red herring in the guise of the toothless "Sturgess Inquiry into sexual offences involving children and related matters". Justice Minister Mr Harper said: 'Mr Sturgess won't have the power to subpoena witnesses and won't be acting in the role of investigator." Newspapers swallowed the red herring. There was no further focus on the Police Commissioner allegedly protecting a paedophile from arrest.  

Hindsight

When the Sturgess Report, or selected parts of it, were leaked to The Courier-Mail more than a year later  in February 1986 before it had been tabled in Parliament, the newspaper serialised the revelations about prostitution and child molestation. Sturgess complained that police had failed to give him records (as had ben promised) but this was not followed up. No newspaper published anything about the key point of the original story - that Lewis had known about the paedophile police officer and yet no action had been taken. On page 21 of his report Sturgess spelled out how his inquiry had originated, including the questions in Parliament about whether the officer's activities had been known since 1982 without any action being taken. However, a reading of the report failed to reveal any action taken by Sturgess to find an answer to those questions. The Fitzgerald Report noted (1989: 2) that Sturgess' findings were "largely ignored" by the Government.

The Police Complaints Tribunal annual report for 1985 said it had not yet completed its investigation into alleged police involvement in child pornography. The 1986 report made no mention of its findings as a result of such an investigation.

No newspaper mentioned the failure of both inquiries to deal with the allegations against Police Commissioner Terry Lewis. 

PART THREE

CHAPTER 19 - CONCLUSIONS

How focussed were the newspapers when it came to identifying the key points of possible Government wrongdoing, something which the thesis argues the media had to do before a logical, well-ordered investigation could be undertaken so that there was a systematic quest to reveal any abuse of proper procedures?

1. The implied threat of Police Minister Tom Morris in 1957 that he had the dirt on what the previous Government had done in regard to the Police Force but that he would not use the information, went unnoticed and unchallenged. The key point was not recognised.

2. In covering the removal of Police Commissioner Tom Harold and the appointment of Frank Bischof, it could be argued that newspapers managed to identify four of the seven key points but only in three cases did newspapers go on to fulfil even the first of the watchdog criteria, The Sunday Mail on one point, the Telegraph on a second point and The Courier-Mail on a third.

3. Mines Minister Ernie Evans held on to his oil shares in 1962 against the Premier's wishes and Ministerial conflicts of interest continued to arise. None of the key points was identified.

4. The first of two key points involved in allegations about police behaviour and prostitution at the National Hotel in 1963 - the need for an inquiry into allegations of corrupt behaviour - was identified, with The Courier-Mail and the Telegraph each fulfilling three of the criteria. It can be argued that the Sunday Truth met two of the criteria and The Sunday Mail one. None of the newspapers was judged to have identified the second key point.

5. Jack Egerton's allegations of an illegal casino blatantly defying the law in 1967 was never test by the newspapers. The key point was not identified.

6. Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen failed to answer questions about a conflict of interest on oil leases in 1969 and continued to ignore subsequent complaints about further conflicts of interest. Newspapers failed to identify the two key points.

7. Only the Sunday Mail identified the key point when prostitute Shirley Brifman surfaced in 1971 but it failed to go beyond the first of the watchdog criteria and the story soon died.

8. Whatever was going on behind the scenes of the trotting industry in 1974 was never revealed. The newspapers failed to identify the four key points in the body of their articles but a Telegraph headline did identify a key point. It could be argued, therefore, that the newspaper had acted as a watchdog. 

9. When honest Police Commissioner Ray Whitrod was replaced by Terry Lewis under whom corruption flourished, newspapers identified two of the three key points and moved into a watchdog role on both of them.

10. The Telegraph was the only newspaper to identify one of the two key points when the story about Minister Russ Hinze's rezoning broke. It could be argued that it went on to meet two of the watchdog criteria.

11. There was no adequate inquiry into police corruption in 1982, despite the revelations of two whistleblowers but newspapers focussed strongly on the key point and moved into a watchdog role.

12. It was never discovered why Police Commissioner Terry Lewis had failed to act for up to two years on allegations that a police constable whose job placed him in close proximity to young boys was a paedophile. Both key points were identified and two newspapers could be judged to have moved into a watchdog role.

This thesis nominated 32 key points in the 12 issues under review. Only 13 were identified, some of them very sketchily, and in some cases by only one newspaper. This thesis argues that in only six of those 13 key points could it be judged that newspapers went on to meet more than one of the watchdog criteria - the first of the National Hotel key points, the first and third of the Lewis key points, one of the Hinze key points, the Nationwide key point and the second of the police paedophile points.

When the records of the individual newspapers are examined, their failures to identify key points and move into a watchdog role becomes more obvious.

The Courier-Mail identified eight of the 32 key points, On three key points it went on to meet three of the criteria. The Telegraph identified seven of the key points. It twice fulfilled three of the criteria. Sunday Truth/Sun and the Sunday Mail both identified only three of the key points. The Daily Sun covered only the issue of the police paedophile and identified one of the two key points, going on to fulfil the first of the watchdog criteria.

Even if newspapers missed most of the key points, did they play a part in bringing abut inquiries into allegations of corruption? In only four of the 12 issues did the Government give way to demands from any quarter to hold an inquiry.

1. The Courier-Mail and the Telegraph both drew attention to the need for an inquiry into the allegations that the Police Commissioner was involved in a call girl operation at the National Hotel. But when an inquiry with narrow terms of reference was announced, they failed to draw attention to the possible repercussions of the restrictions and failed to campaign for the terms of reference to be widened. The National Hotel Royal Commission was shackled by terms of reference which restricted it to only investigating police behaviour at the hotel. The widespread and deep-seated police corruption later exposed by the Fitzgerald Inquiry was not exposed.

2. The Courier-Mail did identify, in one editorial, the need to widen the terms of reference of the 1977 Lucas Inquiry into police but this editorial failed to have any effect and the inquiry was specifically barred from investigating corruption. For the next decade the Government ignored the recommendations of the inquiry for improvements to police procedures.

3. The Police Complaints Tribunal could loosely be described as an inquiry into the allegations that were raised as a result of the 1982 Nationwide expose about police corruption. But it was not equipped to deal with police corruption (Fitzgerald 1989: 82)

4. The Sturgess Inquiry had inadequate powers, was carried out in camera and failed to deal with the allegations against Police Commissioner Terry Lewis. 

The only complaint from a newspaper about any of these largely ineffectual mechanisms was a five-paragraph editorial in The Courier-Mail of November 17, 1976. Apart from this one editorial, newspapers failed to put pressure on the Government to toughen these inquiries. 

In only three of the 12 issues was there a full Parliamentary debate.

1, There had been no newspaper coverage for two weeks when it was announced that there would be a Parliamentary debate on the Harold-Bischof issue of 1957.58. There had been no suggestion from newspapers that there should be such a debate.

2, In the Whitrod-Lewis issue of 1976 there was no newspaper pressure for such a debate.

3. And the debate in March 1982 after the ABC TV Nationwide expose of senior police corruption was a Government initiative designed to catch the Opposition by surprise and embarrass it on the floor of Parliament.

In the issue of the paedophile police constable, not only was there no newspaper pressure for a full Parliamentary debate but when Parliament, the prime democratic forum of the state, was shut down, allegedly to prevent further examination of the issue, no newspaper went further than carrying  straightforward report of the closure on the news pages of its next issue.

There were occasions where newspapers supported the Government on the issues under review. 

In the controversy surrounding the ousting of Police Commissioner Tom Harold and appointment of Frank Bischof in 1958, not only did newspapers miss important key points but they also carried a hegemony that Queensland had a police force to be proud of and that Bischof was the best man for the job. Perhaps if a newspaper had examined Police Minister Tom Morris's comment in October 1957 about what had gone on under the previous Government and, thus alerted, had explored one or more of the key points in the Harold-Bischof issue, the course of Queensland history might  have been very different.

In 1969, when Opposition Leader Jack Houston made his allegations against the recently-installed Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen that he had made fabulous wealth by misleading the Mines Minister, The Sunday Mail and The Courier-Mail were dismissive of the issue. The result was that no newspaper made this an election issue. Bjelke-Petersen went on to retain the premiership, over an increasingly corrupt Government, until 1987. 

The coverage of the trotting, Egerton and Brifman issues all failed to raise much more than a whimper from any watchdog, with no attempt made to explain the importance of the issues by means of a feature or backgrounder. When Terry Lewis was appointed Police Commissioner in 1976 not one newspaper focussed on why and how he had been selected and three newspapers failed to apply pressure for an inquiry into police corruption. With the 1984 police paedophile issue, newspapers generally failed to focus on the role of the Police Commissioner. 

In the majority of cases, newspapers failed to identify and develop the key points of the issues. To be fair, it could be argued that it is not surprising  that no newspaper spotted the key point in Morris's speech in October 1957. But most, if not all, of the other key points outlined in the thesis should have been obvious to anyone analysing what was at the heart of each issue. For instance, the Jack Egerton assertion that he had details of a huge illegal baccarat game patronised by VIPs was the subject of a large story and begged for reporters to discover and reveal more. 

What are the most positive of the findings the thesis has made in assessing the issues? The best performance by newspapers when it came to matching the criteria designed to measure the degree to which they acted in a watchdog role related to the first key point of the National Hotel Royal Commission Inquiry of 1963/64, which was the need for an inquiry into police corruption; and the Nationwide allegations of police corruption in 1982. The Telegraph and The Courier-Mail met the following criteria in both cases:

1. 1.Clearly identify and highlight a, or the, key point which is either the crux of the issue or which goes to the very heart of the issue by making the point the focus of the story;
2. 2.Make this key point the subject of an editorial that does not merely reiterate the story and make motherhood statements about outcomes but interprets the facts surrounding the key point and, where relevant, demands action;
3. 3.Focus on the key point, or at least remind readers of this point, by featuring it prominently and frequently as the key point in follow-up stories in future editions.

The Telegraph and The Courier-Mail both gave persistent coverage to the call for an inquiry into the allegations of police involvement in a call girl service at the National Hotel. In the 1982 police corruption issue, The Courier-Mail and the Telegraph carried strong service. A Sunday Sun story also identified and highlighted a key point of this issue.

The only other occasion when a newspaper fulfilled three criteria was in coverage of the need for an inquiry into police corruption at the appointment of Terry Lewis as Police Commissioner in 1976. This was the third key point in this issue. The Courier-Mail met the first, second and sixth criteria, that is, focussing on the key point in a news story, carrying an editorial and keeping the key point in the public eye by publishing items such as cartoons, editorials and letters. The editorial and cartoon of The Courier-Mail on November 17, 1976, clearly identified the key point about the pushing out of of honest Police Commissioner Ray Whitrod and they alerted readers in very clear terms to this aspect of the issue. Unfortunately, for the most part the newspapers failed to follow up. The editorial was arguably the most outspoken and well-focussed of any examined. The cartoon was one of the most daring. Together, they provided a strong example of a newspaper in watchdog mode but for the most part the pressure in regard to this key point was not maintained. Two other Courier-Mail editorials, although not demanding action, did identify the key point and therefore met the sixth of the watchdog criteria.

In the Harold-Bischof issue The Courier-Mail highlighted QLP leader Gair's complaint about Deputy Commissioner Donovan being passed over and thus identified and highlighted the key point about the wrong man getting the job. But none of the newspapers, including The Courier-Mail, explored or developed this point. 

The Telegraph of September 13, 1978, focussed on a demand made in Parliament for the resignation of Minister Russ Hinze over his involvement in rezoning his own land and carried a follow-up story the next day. Although it could be argued this was nothing more than the paper acting in its reporting role, the stories did meet the first two of the watchdog criteria.

During the issue of the paedophile police constable The Courier-Mail reported that Ministers Glasson and Harper wanted an independent inquiry and an editorial stated that Cabinet should back Glasson's efforts to establish an inquiry which should be as wide and open as possible. This met two of the criteria. All three daily newspapers highlighted in stories the ALP's demand for an inquiry, meeting one of the criteria.

It must be emphasised that the thesis is not criticising the newspapers' reportage of the issues, That is a different matter. As Wells pointed out (1970:48), the abuses had been widely reported, The coverage of the 12 issues examined in this thesis   was often voluminous but the thesis is concerned only in endeavouring to assess the degree to which, according to social responsibility theory, newspapers acted as a watchdog on behalf of the public to protect them from government excesses and corruption.

Charlton (1983: 111) commented that it took a television program, Four Corners, to collect sufficiently hard-hitting evidence to help initiate an inquiry which put an ened to the entrenched corruption - the Fitzgerald Inquiry of 1987-89. But to suggest that only television coverage could produce such a result is negated by the fact that in 1982 another ABC program, Nationwide, even produced two whistleblowing police officers to testify about the corruption, only to see the Government and police force survive unscathed.

The thesis had assumed when setting the criteria that once a key point had been identified by a newspaper and an editorial had been written drawing readers' attention to that point, the newspaper would maintain its focus on that point and further editorials and articles would follow, focussing on that same point in an endeavour, ideally, to achieve a positive result. In fact, the thesis found newspapers rarely struck a particular stance and stuck to it by carrying a series of editorials and or articles focussing on the same key point.

In no case did a newspaper meet all of the criteria developed to measure how effectively newspapers performed in a watchdog role. Often they met none at all. This thesis has found that even when newspapers identified a key point they almost invariably failed to:

• Enlarge, explore and dissect in a feature, backgrounder or column the circumstances, origin, history, motivations and identities involved in this key point in order to further explain its importance and relevance;
• Develop and widen coverage of the point by carrying a story or stories in which answers, opinions and interviews regarding the key point are articles people such as Opposition MPs, academics, and organisations with an interest in, or affected by, the issue, as well as those directly involved at the heart of the controversy;
• Keep the key point in the public eye by publishing on a frequent and regular basis stories, columns, features, backgrounders, editorials, cartoons and letters fulfilling the previous criteria; 
• Make it clear to readersthat the newspaper is acting as a watchdog by such devices as giving the campaign a 'label', announcing what the objectives of the campaign are and announcing that pressure will be maintained until the stated goals are achieved.

Only on three occasions did newspapers:

• Clearly identify and highlight a, or the, key point which is either the crux of the issue or which goes to the very heart of the issue by making the point the focus of a story; 
• Make the key point the subject of an editorial that does not merely reiterate the story and make motherhood statements about outcomes but interprets the facts surrounding the key point and, where relevant, demands action;
• Focus on the key pont, or at least remind readers of this point, by featuring it prominently and frequently as the key point in follow-up stories in future editions.

The thesis argues that it was the generic failure by newspapers to identify key points or, having identified a key point, to develop coverage of that key point, which resulted in newspapers failing to act as a watchdog on behalf of the public to protect them from the government excesses and corruption which flourished in Queensland in the three decades prior to 1987.

The thesis has found that not only did newspapers fail their readers in this way but that, incidentally, the Opposition appears to have failed the electorate in the early years of this period, with the thesis showing that newspapers failed to alert the public to this failure of the Opposition. By the end of this period Hansard shows the Opposition was working hard to expose corruption and doing its best to draw the attention of the public to key points such as the evidence that Commissioner Lewis had been aware of allegations against the paedophile police constable but that he had failed to act. Unfortunately, newspapers had not made the same improvement and failed to latch on to this key point and develop it in terms of the criteria identified in this thesis.

In answer to the questions posed at the beginning of the thesis, Queensland newspapers occasionally barked in their role as a watchdog - but not for very long and not very loudly. They did occasionally call for inquiries but they failed to follow through to make sure the inquiries were open, wide-ranging and with terms of reference which would allow the truth to emerge. 

They failed to act in such a way that instances of corruption ceased, an effective investigation was launched or some other acceptable outcome was achieved.

Question: To what degree did Queensland newspapers campaign for action to be taken in regard to corruption and alleged impropriety in Queensland at specified crucial times in the three decades before the establishment of the Fitzgerald Inquiry when, if they were to be society's watchdogs, they should have been aware of the need? 

Answer: A very limited degree.

Where was the watchdog? It was inattentive and lacked focus, as found in this thesis.

It is a fact, as underlined by the Fitzgerald Report, that institutionalised corruption in Queensland continued throughout the 30-year period between 1957 and 1987 and that, therefore, newspapers completely failed to protect Queenslanders from  the far-reaching effects of that corruption.


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