Blogging the Bookshelf

[In an interview in which Joh insisted it was not improper to own shares in companies with which the Government did business despite his own National Party censuring him for the practice]

By now Bjelke-Petersen was obviously very angry and, even in the old black and white world of television, his eyes could be seen growing smaller and sharper as they focused hard on the reporter.

Bjelke-Petersen: I urge you to mind your own business because I have made it quite clear what my attitude is.

Journalist: Are you going to tell the Country Party to mind its own business too on this one?

Bjelke-Petersen: If they attempt to tell me to sell my shares and to rearrange them like you are trying to do, I certainly will. Because I have indicated to you exactly what the position is. You know it and everybody else knows it, and I certainly have been very fair to you and to the press. You are only trying to misconstrue it so I’m not going to discuss with you when you try to create a situation such as this.

Journalist: I’m not trying to create any situation, Mr Premier.

Bjelke-Petersen: You are.

Bjelke-Petersen: Do you maintain your attitude that what you did was right and proper and whether you will continue to hold shaes?

Bjelke-Petersen: I haven’t got any in this particular issue as you jolly well know.

Journalist: But you have had shares in companies which have dealings with the public?

Even as (the journalist) spoke the Queensland premier rose from his chair and looked around the room and down at the reporter. “If you’re going to try to misconstrue it just for your own political propaganda,” he said as he walked past the television camera and out of the studio, “you’ve got another thing coming.” (The Journalist) wrapped it up: “Mr Premier, thanks very much.”