Joh Bjelke-Petersen

The Honourable Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG (13 January, 1911 - 23 April 2005) was an Australian politician who was Premier of the state of Queensland from 1968 to 1987, the state's longest serving Premier. His populist and authoritarian style made an indelible impact both within Queensland and elsewhere within Australia.

Post-Premiership

The Special Prosecutor responsible decided not to reopen his perjury trial, on the basis of his advancing age, frail health, and the difficulty of a fair trial in the blaze of publicity surrounding not only the case but the original jury. Reaching his decision the prosecutor stated that "In such a case, the fact that the trial of such a person ended with a deadlocked jury would probably be accepted as a proper conclusion to the prosecution, because it could be seen as a reflection of the fact that there remains in the community people of strong views both for and against the accused." http://users.tpg.com.au/adslflfl/1993/sunhr46.htm.

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In 2003, Sir Joh re-appeared in the public spotlight when he filed a lawsuit seeking $338 million in damages as a result of lost superannuation and harm to his business interests allegedly caused by the Fitzgerald Inquiry.

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Despite the proven corruption of the Bjelke-Petersen government, Joh remained a popular figure in parts of Queensland. Future Premiers of both political parties would sometimes be compared to Sir Joh, a comparison that was somewhat uncomfortable for National Rob Borbidge and indignantly denied by Labor's Wayne Goss and Peter Beattie. Beattie recognised Sir Joh's standing by appearing in photographs with him, extending government courtesies to him, and refraining from criticism. Sir Joh in turn praised his successor's good manners.

Related Topics:
Rob Borbidge - Wayne Goss - Peter Beattie

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By early 2004 Sir Joh, aged 93, was reported to be in very poor physical health, being confined to a wheelchair and suffering from advanced Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. On March 3 2004, his family said that he was on his deathbed and that they "were preparing for the worst". However, a year later, the bed-ridden Sir Joh reached his 94th birthday and was reported as having enjoyed himself by his wife, Lady Bjelke-Petersen. Worry about Sir Joh's health again rose about a month later when he was hospitalised suffering from breathing problems and his pneumonia, from which he successfully recovered.

Related Topics:
2004 - Progressive Supranuclear Palsy - March 3 - Lady Bjelke-Petersen

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Sir Joh was eventually pronounced dead at 6pm AEST on 23 April, 2005, with Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen and a number of other family members by his side. Premier Peter Beattie announced that Bjelke-Petersen would receive a state funeral and the family announced plans to bury him on his property at Kingaroy.

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