Official register of former Queensland MPs: electorates, parties, dates of service and ministries.
For “Married” 1970 of Robert Carl Katter & Susan Mary O'Rourke
"Family: Susan Mary O'Rourke in 1970, 1 son, 4 daughters"
Official register entry, retrieved 2026-08-28. The same entry gives "Birth Date: 22 May 1945 (Cloncurry, Queensland)" and "Parents: Robert Cummin Katter and Mabel Joan (nee Horn)", both matching the tree, which fixes the identification. Secondary, not primary: the Queensland BDM historical index does not publish marriages after 1944, so a 1970 registration cannot be checked.
For “Education (St Andrew's School, Plymouth)” of William Henry Groom
"Education: St Andrew's School, Plymouth"
The ADB adds "After primary schooling he was apprenticed to a baker." Wikipedia names the school "St Andrew's College, Plymouth"; the Queensland register's wording is used here.
For “Alderman, Borough of Toowoomba” FROM 1861 TO 1901 of William Henry Groom
"Served as a Toowoomba alderman from 1861 to 1901; Toowoomba's mayor, 1861 to 1863; and re-elected to office in 1864, 1867, 1883 and 1884"
Wikipedia agrees: "Groom served as an alderman in the Borough of Toowoomba from 1861 to 1901".
For “Mayor of Toowoomba” FROM 1861 TO 1863 of William Henry Groom
"Toowoomba's mayor, 1861 to 1863; and re-elected to office in 1864, 1867, 1883 and 1884"; "During his first term as mayor, he successfully led his council to petition the colonial government for land for a town hall, a municipal market and the original site for Queens Park"
The ADB adds "In 1861 he became Toowoomba's first mayor, an office he later held five times", which is the source of the count of five mayoralties.
"Assembly NONE Drayton & Toowoomba 11 Aug 1862 10 Nov 1873"
Row from the register's Parliamentary Representation table. The ADB gives the same start: "On 11 August 1862 Groom won a by-election for Drayton and Toowoomba in the Legislative Assembly. Apart from an interlude in 1866 he held his seat until elected first Federal member for Darling Downs in 1901."
"Assembly NONE Toowoomba 10 Nov 1873 15 Nov 1878"
Row from the register's Parliamentary Representation table; matches the Wikipedia infobox.
"Assembly NONE Drayton & Toowoomba 15 Nov 1878 4 Jun 1901"
Row from the register's Parliamentary Representation table; matches the Wikipedia infobox.
"Speaker 7 Nov 1883 4 Apr 1888"; "His main contributions to the colony's affairs were his consistent agrarian radicalism and membership of the royal commissions on the sugar industry in 1889 and crown lands in 1897"
The ADB agrees: "Although able and acceptable as Speaker in 1883-88 he held no executive office".
Parliamentary Representation | House: Assembly | Party: NP | Electorate: Flinders | From: 7 Dec 1974 | To: 19 Sep 1992 | Elected/Departure Reason: Did not contest
Official register. The 1974 election, the Country Party label and the abolition of Flinders are from the Wikipedia article, State politics section: "Katter was first elected to the north Queensland district of Flinders of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland at the 1974 state election, as a member of the Country Party" and "Following the abolition of the electoral district of Flinders in 1992, Katter retired from state politics and did not contest the 1992 election."
Parliamentary Service | Minister for Northern Development and Aboriginal and Island Affairs | From: 7 Nov 1983 | To: 6 Feb 1986
Official register. Premier named per the Wikipedia infobox (premier8 = Joh Bjelke-Petersen) and the lead: "Katter was appointed cabinet minister by Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen in 1983".
Parliamentary Service | Minister for Northern Development and Community Services | From: 6 Feb 1986 | To: 1 Dec 1987
Official register. Premier per the Wikipedia infobox (premier6 = Joh Bjelke-Petersen).
Parliamentary Service | Minister for Northern Development, Community Services and Ethnic Affairs | From: 9 Dec 1987 | To: 19 Jan 1989
Official register. Premier per the Wikipedia infobox (premier5 = Mike Ahern).
Parliamentary Service | Minister for Community Services and Ethnic Affairs | From: 19 Jan 1989 | To: 28 Aug 1989
Official register for the dates. The manner of departure is from the Wikipedia article, State politics section: "On 28 August 1989, he resigned abruptly from the cabinet of Bjelke-Petersen's successor, Mike Ahern, along with fellow cabinet ministers Russell Cooper and Paul Clauson."
Parliamentary Service | Minister for Mines and Energy and Minister for Northern and Regional Development | From: 25 Sep 1989 | To: 7 Dec 1989
Official register for the dates. Circumstances from the Wikipedia article, State politics section: "Katter returned to cabinet on 25 September 1989, following Cooper's successful ousting of Ahern as party leader and premier" and "His term as a minister ended following the National Party's defeat at the 1989 election."
Parliamentary Service | Opposition Spokesperson for Transport, Ports and Marine | From: 29 Jan 1991 | Member, Parliamentary Select Committee of Privileges | From: 6 Mar 1990
Official register; no end date is recorded for either role, so the event is left open-ended. His term in the Assembly ended 19 September 1992.
For “Founder, Katter's Australian Party” 5 JUN 2011 of Robert Carl Katter
Mr Bob Katter formed Katter's Australian Party on 27 Sep 2011
Official register gives 27 September 2011 for the party's formation, which is also the date the Parliamentary Handbook records his federal party affiliation changing to Katter's Australian Party. The 5 June 2011 launch date and the 27 September 2011 formation date are recorded here side by side rather than reconciled.
For “Married” 16 APR 1888 of William Bligh Henry O'Connell & Emily Amelia Rosalie Miske
Family: Emilie Amelia Miske on 16 April 1888, in Bundaberg 3 sons, 4 daughters
Fetched this session with a browser User-Agent. This is the only source consulted that gives a place for the marriage, and it is the basis for placing the event at Bundaberg. Its date agrees exactly with the Queensland registration. The register states its own source as Waterson, A Biographical Register of the Queensland Parliament (2001), so it is a secondary work and is rated 2.
Assembly IND Carnarvon 18 May 1907 1 Oct 1909 / Assembly MIN Carnarvon 2 Oct 1909 21 May 1915 / Assembly LIB Carnarvon 22 May 1915 15 Mar 1918 / Assembly NAT Carnarvon 16 Mar 1918 9 Oct 1920
Transcribed from the register's Parliamentary Representation table; the four rows are one continuous period of service under changed party labels. The register's Notes field adds: 'championed small grazier and selector and advocated railway extension and prickly pear eradication'.
For “Occupation (Grazier)” FROM 1873 TO 1886 of Donald Gunn
Overseer and Manager, Pikedale Station, Darling Downs, 1873-1886; Manager, Glenlyon Station
Register career field. Its Notes field adds: 'Member, Royal Geographical Society Queensland; Member, United Graziers' Association; President, Goondiwindi Show Society'.
For “Member and Chairman, Waggamba Shire Council” 1906 of Donald Gunn
Member and chairman, Waggamba Shire Council, 1906
Register field.
For “Education (Warwick State School and Brisbane Grammar School)” of Donald Gunn
Education: Warwick State School; Brisbane Grammar School; National School, Warwick
Register field. Wikipedia names the third school differently: 'He was educated at Warwick State School, Brisbane Grammar School, and Townsend's School, Warwick.' Placed at Queensland rather than a single town because the three schools are in two places.
"Assembly ALP Brisbane Central 2 Dec 1989 13 Sep 2007 Retired"
Row of the register's Parliamentary Representation table (House, Party, Electorate, From, To, Departure Reason).
For “Premier of Queensland” FROM 26 JUN 1998 TO 13 SEP 2007 of Peter Douglas Beattie
"Premier (and eight other ministries during the transition period 26-29 June 1998) 26 Jun 1998 13 Sep 2007"
Register's Parliamentary Service table. Wikipedia adds: "Peter Douglas Beattie (born 18 November 1952) is an Australian former politician who served as the 36th Premier of Queensland, in office from 1998 to 2007" and "At the time of his retirement, he was the longest-serving state premier in the country." Wikidata dates the office from 20 June 1998; the official register's 26 June 1998 is preferred.
For “Leader of the Opposition, Queensland” FROM 19 FEB 1996 TO 26 JUN 1998 of Peter Douglas Beattie
"Leader of the Opposition 19 Feb 1996 26 Jun 1998"
Register's Parliamentary Service table. Wikipedia: "He was the state leader of the Labor Party from 1996 to 2007."
For “Minister for Health, Queensland” FROM 31 JUL 1995 TO 19 FEB 1996 of Peter Douglas Beattie
"Minister for Health 31 Jul 1995 19 Feb 1996"
Register's Parliamentary Service table. Wikipedia: "He served as a Health Minister from 1995 to 1996 under Wayne Goss".
For “Treasurer of Queensland” FROM 28 JUL 2005 TO 2 FEB 2006 of Peter Douglas Beattie
"Treasurer 28 Jul 2005 2 Feb 2006"
Register's Parliamentary Service table; the dates fall inside his term as Premier (26 Jun 1998 - 13 Sep 2007).
For “Minister for Trade, Queensland” FROM 22 FEB 2001 TO 28 JUL 2005 of Peter Douglas Beattie
"Minister for Trade 13 Sep 2006 13 Sep 2007" ... "Minister for Trade 22 Feb 2001 28 Jul 2005"
Two separate rows of the register's Parliamentary Service table; recorded as one event with the second term noted in the summary.
"Chairman, Parliamentary Criminal Justice Committee 21 Mar 1990 25 Aug 1992"
Register's Parliamentary Service table. Wikipedia: "His main post was as chairman of the parliamentary committee overseeing the Criminal Justice Commission (now the Crime and Corruption Commission)".
"State Secretary, Queensland Branch. 1981 - 1988" ... "Ex Officio Member, National Executive. 1981 - 1988" ... "Queensland State Campaign Director for 16 different elections. 1981 - 1988"
Three lines of the register's Party Positions list.
"Commissioner, The Americas, Trade and Investment Queensland, 2008-2010."
Register's Career field; supplies the 2008-2010 dates.
For “Education (University of Queensland)” of Peter Douglas Beattie
"BA, LLB University of Queensland; MA (Research), Queensland University of Technology; Honorary Doctor of the University Degree, Bond University; Honorary Doctor of the University Degree, Griffith University"
Register's Education field. Wikipedia adds: "He moved to Brisbane to attend the University of Queensland after winning a Commonwealth Scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree." No dates are given, so the event carries none.
For “Education (Queensland University of Technology)” of Peter Douglas Beattie
"BA, LLB University of Queensland; MA (Research), Queensland University of Technology; Honorary Doctor of the University Degree, Bond University; Honorary Doctor of the University Degree, Griffith University"
Register's Education field, which also records honorary doctorates from Bond University and Griffith University.
For “Australian Labor Party candidate for Forde” 7 SEP 2013 of Peter Douglas Beattie
"Unsuccessfully contested federal seat of Forde in Federal Election 7 Sep 2013 as an ALP candidate"
Register's Notes field; corroborated by Wikipedia's Federal politics section.
For “Occupation (Senior Policy Officer, Queensland Public Service)” of Anna Maria Bligh
"Career: Senior Policy Officer, Department of Employment, Vocational Education, Training and Industrial Relations; Worked in community organisations including women's refuges and neighbourhood centres; Experience in childcare services and trade unions"
Official register's career summary; no dates supplied there.
"Parliamentary Representation: Assembly ALP South Brisbane 15 Jul 1995 2 Apr 2012 Resigned"
Official parliamentary record of her own seat and dates.
"Minister for Families, Youth and Community Care and Minister for Disability Services 29 Jun 1998 22 Feb 2001"
Parliamentary Service table of the official register.
For “Minister for Education” FROM 22 FEB 2001 TO 12 FEB 2004 of Anna Maria Bligh
"Minister for Education 22 Feb 2001 12 Feb 2004"
Parliamentary Service table of the official register.
For “Minister for Education and the Arts” FROM 12 FEB 2004 TO 28 JUL 2005 of Anna Maria Bligh
"Minister for Education and The Arts 12 Feb 2004 28 Jul 2005"
Parliamentary Service table of the official register.
For “Deputy Premier of Queensland” FROM 28 JUL 2005 TO 13 SEP 2007 of Anna Maria Bligh
"Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure 13 Sep 2006 13 Sep 2007 | Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation 2 Feb 2006 13 Sep 2006 | Deputy Premier and Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation 28 Jul 2005 2 Feb 2006"
Three consecutive rows of the register's Parliamentary Service table, joined here with pipes; the deputy premiership runs unbroken across them.
For “Treasurer of Queensland” FROM 2 FEB 2006 TO 13 SEP 2007 of Anna Maria Bligh
"Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation 2 Feb 2006 13 Sep 2006 | Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure 13 Sep 2006 13 Sep 2007"
The two register rows carrying the Treasurer title, joined here with a pipe.
For “Premier of Queensland” FROM 13 SEP 2007 TO 26 MAR 2012 of Anna Maria Bligh
"Premier of Queensland 13 Sep 2007 26 Mar 2012" ... "Notes: First female Premier of Queensland."
Dates and the first-woman statement both from the official register.
For “Minister for the Arts” FROM 26 MAR 2009 TO 21 FEB 2011 of Anna Maria Bligh
"Minister for the Arts 26 Mar 2009 21 Feb 2011"
Parliamentary Service table of the official register.
For “Minister for Reconstruction” FROM 21 FEB 2011 TO 26 MAR 2012 of Anna Maria Bligh
"Minister for Reconstruction 21 Feb 2011 26 Mar 2012"
Parliamentary Service table of the official register.
For “Occupation (Chief Executive Officer, YWCA NSW)” FROM 2013 of Anna Maria Bligh
"Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary, YWCA NSW since 2013" ... Wikipedia, After politics: "In 2014, Bligh was appointed CEO of YWCA New South Wales, a not-for-profit organisation striving to end domestic violence and build a safer world for women and children."
The two sources disagree on the start year (2013 vs 2014); both quoted so a moderator can judge. Date recorded as the earlier, official-register value.
"Assembly NONE Leichhardt 23 Aug 1883 5 May 1888"
Official register table of parliamentary representation.
For “Secretary for Public Lands, Queensland” FROM 13 NOV 1883 TO 30 AUG 1887 of Charles Boydell Dutton
"Secretary of Public Lands 13 Nov 1883 30 Aug 1887" ... "responsible for consolidating the 1884 land bill which introduced reforms"
Register gives the exact ministerial dates; ADB supplies the Dutton Act detail and Wikipedia the Henry George point, both cited elsewhere in this proposal.
"Secretary for Public Works and Mines 30 Aug 1887 12 Dec 1887"
Official register; the circumstances of the appointment are from the ADB entry cited on this person: "in 1887 he also acted as minister for works and mines while his friend William Miles was ill. When Miles died in August Dutton relinquished the lands ministry and took control of mines and works."
For “Director, Royal Bank of Queensland” 1886 of Charles Boydell Dutton
"1860 Lessee Tambo and Nive River; 1879 firm acquired Bimerah; Acquired Cooredulla property Tenterfield; Director, Royal Bank of Queensland, 1886" ... "Large shareholder Central Queensland Meat Export Company Lake Creek"
Career and Notes fields of the official register entry.
"Assembly MIN Toombul 10 Apr 1893 27 Aug 1904 / Assembly OPP Toombul 27 Aug 1904 5 Feb 1908 / Assembly MIN Toombul 5 Feb 1908 22 May 1915 / Assembly LIB Toombul 22 May 1915 16 Mar 1918 / Assembly NAT Toombul 16 Mar 1918 12 May 1923 / Assembly UAP Toombul 12 May 1923 8 May 1926 Did not contest"
The six rows of the register's Parliamentary Representation table (columns House / Party / Electorate / From / To / Elected-Departure Reason), separated here by slashes. This official start date of 10 Apr 1893 differs from Wikipedia's 20 April 1893 and Wikidata's 29 May 1893; the register is preferred.
For “Member, Hamilton Divisional Board” FROM 1884 TO 1893 of Andrew Lang Petrie
"Member, Hamilton Divisional Board, 1884-1893; Member, Toombul Divisional Board; Member, Brisbane Cemetery Board"
The register's Notes field supplies the 1884-1893 span.