A Queensland life to cherish

Dear ,

One of the most delightful things about running the AIP has been the people I have been privileged to meet. Another has been the way this often challenges my preconceptions.

Meeting Keith DeLacy some 7 or so years ago was both a delight for me, and a challenge to my preconceptions. Here was a significant Labor figure who believed in the same things that I did, even though in the 90s, when I was campaigning to remove the Goss government, he seemed like an ideological foe. But things aren't always what you think they are, or what you need to convince yourself they are.

That's why we are happy to host the launch of Keith's memoir (jointly with the Brisbane Club) on Thursday November 18, in the club dining room at 12:00 pm. To book please email info@aip.asn.au.

Keith's life starts in an earth-floored shanty on a North Queensland cane farm with communist parents. He goes from there to the glittering towers of corporate Queensland through the portals of agricultural scientist, tobacco farmer, underground miner, newsagent, member of parliament and state treasurer.

While DeLacy rises high he is completely grounded, and his wry humour and sense of context infuse this book which is a tour of late 20th Century Queensland politics, along with his ideological development as he is "mugged by reality".

As state treasurer DeLacy preserved the reputation of Queensland for balanced budgets and shrewd economic management. As a company director he was involved with a large number of entrepreneurial companies, including Macarthur Coal which listed at $128 million and eventually sold for $4.9 billion.

DeLacy's story runs parallel to Queensland's which went from Cinderella to belle of the ball over the period from the 60s to the present, at the same time DeLacy went from young adult to statesman and author.

When:   Thursday November 18, 2021 at 12:00 pm
Where:  Main Dining Room, The Brisbane Club, 241 Adelaide Street, BRISBANE QLD 4000
(Discounted parking available at Post Office Square and MacArthur Central)
Price:     $120 (includes two course lunch and drinks)
Booking:To book email us at info@aip.asn.au

Regards,

GRAHAM YOUNG
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR