The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds 708 - Joh Bjelke-Petersen - live with Damien Power and Chris Ryan
Nov 4, 2025
Damien Power, an Australian comedian and podcaster, joins the discussion to dive into the life of Joh Bjelke-Petersen, who rose from humble beginnings to become Queensland's controversial premier. They humorously explore Bjelke-Petersen's peculiar moral crusades, his manipulation of police and politics, and notorious propaganda strategies like 'The Joe Show.' The conversation touches on scandalous allegations of corruption, authoritarian tactics, and the chaotic fallout of his regime, leaving listeners both entertained and enlightened about this complex figure.
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Police Corruption Embedded In Administration
- As police minister, Bjelke-Petersen oversaw plainclothes vice squads where officers collected bribes.
- Cops who refused corruption were marked unfit for plainclothes and returned to uniform.
Media Crafted A Political Persona
- Bjelke-Petersen built a media machine to reshape his image from a rural bumpkin to a charismatic leader.
- Alan Callahan coached him into a polished TV performer who dominated public perception.
Gerrymander Secured Lasting Power
- Bjelke-Petersen's government used gerrymandering and rural weighting to stay in power despite fewer votes.
- The system became known as the 'Bjelkemander' and crushed opposition representation.
