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Civil liberties and political protest
The Bjelke-Petersen government was vigorously opposed in left-wing and civil
libertarian circles for its hardline approach to political protest and
industrial action. Police violence was alleged against demonstrators at the
University of Queensland, which was a haven for anti-Bjelke-Petersen sentiment.
A decision by this University's Senate to award him an honorary doctorate of
laws brought about criticisms from both students and staff. Leading Queensland
poet, Judith Wright, returned her own honorary Doctorate, in a personal protest.
The 1971 Springbok tour by the South Africa national rugby union team sparked
nation-wide demonstrations by supporters of the still imprisoned black African
leader, Nelson Mandela. Bjelke-Petersen, a strong advocate of the white South
African government, declared a state of emergency to supress public protests.The
government transferred 450 police from country areas to enforce the order.
Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, then a student protestor, witnessed Police
violently attacking peaceful demonstrators, including women. Brisbane
aboriginal activist, Sam Watson claimed the Police wanted to "smash and cripple
and destroy". Bjelke-Petersen praised police conduct during the
demonstrations and awarded them an extra day's leave, as a mark of thanks.
Bjelke-Petersen cultivated a close relationship with factions within the police
service, often at the expense of the relevant Minister for Police. In 1976,
after attempting to initiate inquiries into police violence and reform the
police force, Police Commissioner Ray Whitrod resigned, alleging interference by
Bjelke-Petersen with his position. Bjelke-Petersen had him replaced as
Commissioner by the relatively junior Terry Lewis, who worked closely and
directly with Bjelke-Petersen on a wide variety of matters, and who would later
be revealed to be corrupt by the Fitzgerald Inquiry.
Extensive Special Branch monitoring (including telephone tapping) of suspected
subversives was routine; among its targets were not only Labor Party
parliamentarians, but also National Party figures who had incurred
Bjelke-Petersen's displeasure. Following the Springbok tour, Don Lane, a former
member of the Special Branch, was elected to parliament, campaigning for Law and
order. Bjelke-Petersen regularly accused political opponents of being covert
communists bent on anarchy. His rhetoric was ridiculed in the national media but
was highly effective among conservative and rural voters.
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