Ahern ministry


The Ahern Ministry was a ministry of the Australian Government of Queensland and was led by National Party Premier Mike Ahern and Deputy Premier Bill Gunn. It succeeded the Bjelke-Petersen Ministry on 1 December 1987 following Joh Bjelke-Petersen's resignation as Premier and from Parliament, and was in turn succeeded by the Cooper Ministry on 25 September 1989, led by Russell Cooper.
As the National Party was not in coalition at the time, all listed members are from that party.

Two-man ministry

Due to the speed of the unusual events leading to the demise of the previous ministry, the initial Ahern Ministry consisted simply of Ahern and Gunn sharing all of the portfolios until a full Cabinet could be appointed and details of all other administrative arrangements could be finalised. It was sworn in by Governor Walter Campbell on 1 December 1987. The appointments of all previous ministers were terminated.
OfficeMinister

Premier

Treasurer

Minister for Local Government

Minister for Main Roads

Minister for Racing

Minister for Transport

Minister for Education, Training and Technology

Minister for Water Resources and Maritime Services

Minister for Tourism, National Parks and Sport

Minister for Family Services, Youth and Ethnic Affairs

Minister for Justice

Attorney-General

Minister for Health

Minister for the Environment
Mike Ahern, BAgrSc

Deputy Premier

Minister Assisting the Treasurer

Minister for Police

Minister for Works

Minister for Housing

Minister for Industry

Minister for Lands, Forestry, Mapping and Surveying

Minister for Employment, Small Business and Industrial Affairs

Minister for Primary Industries

Minister for Northern Development

Minister for Community Services

Minister for Corrective Services

Minister for Administrative Services and Valuation

Minister for Mines and Energy

Minister for the Arts
Bill Gunn

Full ministry

A full ministry was sworn in on 9 December 1987. The Ministry largely reflected the membership and order of the Bjelke-Petersen Ministry prior to 25 November 1987, but Russ Hinze, Don Lane, Lin Powell and Yvonne Chapman were not re-appointed. Five new ministers were appointed to fill the vacancies.
On 19 January 1989, Ahern reshuffled the ministry, removing Leisha Harvey and appointing Craig Sherrin to replace her.
In August 1989, Russell Cooper nominated to replace Ahern at a party-room meeting, with Paul Clauson as his deputy. The bid failed, and both ministers and Bob Katter resigned on 29 August. On 31 August, a reshuffle took place and three new ministers were appointed. This final version of the ministry lasted until a second attempt by Cooper to gain the leadership was successful on 25 September.
OfficeMinister

Premier

Treasurer

Minister for State Development

Minister for the Arts
Mike Ahern, BAgrSc

Deputy Premier

Minister for Works

Minister for Housing

Minister for Main Roads and Expo

Minister for Police
Bill Gunn

Minister for Transport

Minister for Health
Ivan Gibbs
Minister for Land ManagementBill Glasson

Minister for Finance

Minister Assisting the Premier and Treasurer
Brian Austin
Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial AffairsVince Lester

Minister for Mines and Energy

Minister for Northern Development
Martin Tenni
Minister for Primary IndustriesNeville Harper

Minister for the Environment and Conservation

Minister for Tourism

Minister for Forestry
Geoff Muntz

Minister for Family Services, Welfare and Housing


Minister for Transport
Peter McKechnie

Minister for Northern Development

Minister for Community Services and Ethnic Affairs
Bob Katter
Minister for Water Resources and Maritime ServicesDon Neal

Attorney-General

Minister for Justice

Minister for Corrective Services
Paul Clauson

Minister for Industry, Small Business and Technology

Minister for Tourism
Rob Borbidge

Minister for Local Government

Minister for Racing
Jim Randell

Minister for Corrective Services

Minister for Police and Emergency Services

Minister for Administrative Services
Russell Cooper
Minister for HealthLeisha Harvey, BA, Dip.Teach.
Minister for Education, Youth and SportBrian Littleproud
Minister for Family ServicesCraig Sherrin, BSc, Dip.Ed., MEdSt