REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Tuesday, July 13, 1993

IT was mid-1993 and it was time for the state Goss government to unleash its razor gang.

The Bulletin revealed that the Labor government would be forced to slash 500 railway jobs while parliamentarians and public servants would be flying economy class under the plan.

The austerity measures were in place to cover a $115 million shortfall in federal funding from the Keating government.

The government announced the following: Little used spur lines and western Queensland routes would be closed, class sizes would be increased in schools, fees for national park entry and cutbacks to George Street’s media services.

The cuts to the railway would save about $4 million in just one financial year.

Treasurer Keith De Lacy admitted the cuts would be widespread. “Nobody is immune from the savings and that includes public servants and politicians,” he said.

The Teachers Union was furious at the move and said at least $30 million would be cut from education.

The cuts came about the time the Goss government began to struggle in the polls.

It ultimately won the 1995 election but was forced to resign into Opposition in 1996 after losing its one-seat majority in a by-election.

Meanwhile, surgeon and World War II hero Colonel Edward “Weary” Dunlop was laid to rest. He died a week earlier at the age of 85.

In foreign news, two photographers and a television sound man were reported to have been killed by a mob in Mogadishu after an attack by a US gunship killed up to 80 Somalis.