Qld government releases Wayne Goss cabinet documents sealed for 30 years
The cabinet documents were originally sealed in 1995. Today, they shed light on the decision-making processes of the government of the day.
The year was 1995.
Toy Story hit the movie screens and became a box office success.
Maroons legend Billy Moore made the 'Queenslander' chant famous at the State of Origin.
eBay was launched, PlayStation hit the shelves, and Windows 95 transformed personal computing.
It was also Wayne Goss's last full year as Queensland premier, with his government pursuing a range of initiatives, such as speed cameras and a new major inner-city park.
Cabinet documents, unsealed and released today after being kept secret for the past 30 years, shed light on key decisions from the then-Labor administration.
Labor won the 1995 election by a one-seat margin, but were turfed out of power shortly after due to a by-election loss.
Mr Goss also faced an election in 1995, with his government returned to power with a tiny one-seat majority.
But by February the next year, Labor was out of office after a crucial by-election changed the numbers in parliament and installed the National-Liberal coalition into government.
Now-Attorney-General Deb Frecklington, who is the minister responsible for the state archives, said 1995 was a fascinating year in Queensland politics.
"Thirty years on, when we read back through the cabinet minutes, it certainly gives us a unique insight into that time as the Goss government focused on many challenges affecting Queensland," she said.
"Issues remain very timely back 30 years ago as they do today; youth crime, the upcoming Australian Olympics, and improving the rights of victims."
New inner-city park
In 1995, the Goss government pushed ahead with plans to transform the Roma Street rail yards in Brisbane into the parklands it is known for today.
At a meeting in February of that year, the cabinet decided to develop options to create a "major inner-city park" at the site.
After the meeting, Mr Goss told the media he saw the redevelopment as a once in lifetime opportunity he was not going to miss.
"London has its Hyde Park. New York has its Central Park. Well, Brisbane is going to get a world-class inner-city park," he said.
The cabinet papers highlight the cost of developing a "world standard" park could come in at up to $160 million.
Wayne Goss served as premier of Queensland between 1989 and 1996. (ABC News)
It was estimated the minimum level of funding for the parkland's creation was $72 million.
This was despite the government committing to spend $30 million on the project at the 1995 election.