REMEMBER WHEN

THE futures of several cabinet ministers were on the line.

Their fate depended on the outcome of an investigation the premier conducted into the Criminal Justice Commission travel rorts report.

Setting himself up as judge and jury, Premier Wayne Goss examined information supplied by ministers adversely referred to in the CJC inquiry.

Police Minister Terry Mackenroth and Health Minister Ken McElligott were among at least five Labor MPs accused of misusing travel entitlements when in opposition.

Mr Goss said: “If my examination of individual cases reveals unacceptable conduct, then I will not hesitate to take necessary action.”

The CJC investigation had already claimed its first victim, former premier Russell Cooper, who resigned as opposition leader, turning up the heat on Mr Goss whose government had been elected on an honesty-and-integrity platform.

Mr Mackenroth and Mr McElligott both left the ministry following the travel rort revelations but the Goss government remained in power until early 1996 when the incumbents lost a controversial by-election.

Meanwhile, Surfers Paradise MP Rob Borbidge firmed as the favourite to become opposition leader and head of the National Party.

He secured the leadership and went on to lead the party for nearly a decade.

This included a two-year stint as premier from 1996 until mid-1998 when the oneterm Rob Borbidge Government was defeated by the Labor Opposition, led by Peter Beattie.