Former Queensland premier Mike Ahern dies, age 81

Tributes have poured in following the death of former Queensland premier Mike Ahern, aged 81, with Annastacia Palaszczuk confirming the government will offer his family a state funeral.

Former premier Mike Ahern

Tributes have poured in for former Queensland premier Mike Ahern, and deservedly so, for Queensland is farewelling a true gentleman whose quiet determination to do the right thing led to the transformation of this state.

Ahern, a farmer’s boy from the Sunshine Coast, found himself cast in an historic role in 1987 which may not have dovetailed easily with his quiet, modest nature.

But it was a role he played with determination and even a certain amount of flair, instigating the process that eventually repositioned Queensland from a corruption-riddled backwater to a sophisticated and progressive state with a rightful place at the national table.

Former premier Mike Ahern pictured in 2017 at home in Caloundra. Photo aap/Ric. Frearson

As the Fitzgerald Inquiry began hearing evidence in 1987, then premier Sir John Bjelke-Petersen’s two-decade grip on power was beginning to falter and not only because of Tony Fitzgerald’s evidence of corruption which was now being presented to the public.

Sir Joh’s doomed “Joh for Canberra’’ push had not only merely failed, but caused political havoc for the federal Coalition

It was Ahern who was called upon to stare down Sir Joh.

The modest and still youthful politician who had entered state parliament as a 25-year-old in 1968 had already nailed his more progressive politics to the mast when, as health minister, he offended some members of his own party by deciding to confront the AIDS epidemic, ordering blood tests on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.

He even held the hand of a dying AIDS patient when hysteria about infection was at its height.

Former Qld Premier Mike Ahern and Minister Mick de Brenni with the original Fitzgerald Report at Qld State Archives. December 20th, 2018. (AAP Image/Richard Waugh).

When November 26, 1987, rolled around and Ahern found himself elevated to party leader by his colleagues, his courage must have wavered as an incensed Sir Joh refused to budge from the Premier’s office in a stand-off that lasted four days.

Ahern was installed in office in early December and when the Fitzgerald Inquiry released the final report in 1989, he famously declared he would implement the recommendations “lock, stock and barrel’’ in a phrase still repeated by a new generation of politicians when confronted with an inquiry’s recommendations.

Ahern was squeezed in between two giants of Queensland politics – Sir Joh and Labor’s Wayne Goss – but he made his mark through that integrity which no one who knew him ever doubted.

Mike Ahern, (left) and Bill Gunn at press conference after Joh Bjelke – Petersen announces resignation in 1987.

Even former political enemies such as Labor premier Peter Beattie yesterday credited Ahern with starting Queensland on the road to honesty in government.

“He took corruption in his own party head on, which is tough at any time,” Beattie said.

“His promise to implement the Fitzgerald Inquiry recommendation lock stock and barrel locked all future governments into the reforms. He was a thoroughly honest and decent person; indeed one of a kind. He had my deep respect.’’

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who confirmed her government will offer Mr Ahern’s family a state funeral, paid tribute to the former leader for whom she also had the greatest respect.

Tony Fitzgerald QC with premier Mike Ahern handing down the report of the Commission of Inquiry.

“He was always ready with a smile and a conversation and was a genuinely agreeable, down-to-earth character,” she said.

Queensland-based federal Nationals leader David Littleproud said the party had “lost one of its greatest” and the state, and country, had benefited from his leadership.

The Ahern family, including wife Andrea and children Louise, Claire, John, Christine and Sharon along with 10 grandchildren, rightfully have the last word.

“He was a wonderful dad,’’ the family said in a statement. “He was loving, kind and generous with a lively sense of humour. He was tall in stature and big in heart – a thoroughly decent man who provided us all with the best role model in life.’

Mike and Andrea Ahern pose for a photo at their home in Caloundra in September 2017. Picture: Ric Frearson