QUEENSLAND'S GERMAN CONNECTIONS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Main Roads Commissioner and Honorary Consul

The responsibilities of Premier’s encompassed the spectrum of departments, overseeing the whole process of government, so any Act of Parliament requiring the approval of the Governor-in-Council underwent its scrutiny. After six years in these demanding roles, Erik Finger retired at the end of 1994. He undertook a number of management consultancies and work with legal firms, served as Queensland Motorways chairman for 11 years, was chairman of the Queensland Library Board, and served on the boards of South Bank and Thiess. In October 1996 he became Germany’s Honorary Consul, working out of the consulate office in Eagle Street in Brisbane. He enjoyed involvement with the German community, particularly at the German Club, and with businesspeople through the German Australian Business Association (GABA), whose meetings he attended. The consular office was a busy place, dealing with issues ranging from citizenship laws, passport applications, the validation of citizenship for pension purposes and matters requiring liaison with the Consul-General in Sydney, to sadder circumstances relating to the deaths in Queensland of German tourists. He was involved in German functions such as Reunification Day, Advent (Christmas) celebrations and Oktoberfest, and meetings of Honorary Consuls. As part of his official duties he returned to ‘home territory’ when he was asked to officially open the Kalbar Show. During his tenure, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl paid a brief visit to Queensland en route from New Zealand to Hong Kong. The pressure of his corporate work eventually led him to resign the position. He and his wife Hildi now live in retirement at Fig Tree Pocket.

His 28 year career at the Main Roads Department ended in November 1988 with his appointment to the most senior role in the Queensland Public Service, Head of the Premier’s Department and Co-ordinator-General. His appointment coincided with the release of the explosive Fitzgerald Report into the state’s administration and Premier Mike Ahern’s declaration that he would implement its recommendations “lock, stock and barrel”. Erik was thus heavily involved with establishing Cabinet procedures, measures for ministerial accountability, Freedom-of-Information legisla tion, anti-discrimination legislation, establishment of the Crime and Misconduct Commission and that of the Electoral Reform Commission. When the Labor government led by Wayne Goss came to power 13 months later, the reform agenda continued to dominate. The public service was reorganised, reducing 27 departments to 17, and processes for chief executive appointments were revised, protocols established for relationships between ministers and senior public servants. Erik Finger, newly-appointed to the Premier’s Department, with former Main Roads Commissioner Bill Cock and former Co-ordinator-General Sir Charles Barton.

Main Roads Commissioner Erik Finger and his minister, Russ Hinze mla, sign the contracts for the construction of Brisbane’s Gateway Bridge

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