STRAIGHT-shooting former premier and Australia Day honours recipient Russell Cooper has a message for the State's next premier: ignore polls and don't fail voters by failing to act.
Mr Cooper, the premier defeated by Wayne Goss in the wake of the Fitzgerald Inquiry in 1989, and another National Party and LNP mainstay David Russell QC were admitted as members of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day awards.
The former parliamentary leader was relaxing at home on the Sunshine Coast with his "best political asset", wife Penny, visited by his four children and 12 grandchildren, when informed of the honour last week.
After 12 years on the Bendemere Shire Council and 18 years representing Roma and Crows Nest in State Parliament, he was delighted and honoured to receive the award.
Mr Cooper said 14 years was "too long for any government to be in power" and he was "hoping sincerely" for a change of government in Queensland at the coming poll.
"If they (the LNP) are successful, I just ask them to remember they are elected to do a job," the former premier said.
"If after 14 years people vote them into power, they expect change. It will be up to the government to deliver and they had better do something with the opportunity they are given."
Among his political achievements, Mr Cooper cited the review of the State prison system, for which he commissioned a former tourism identity, Jim Kennedy.
"No one person can lay claim to long-lasting changes in politics because it is changing all the time," he said.
"I am chuffed to receive this award. The job (as an MP) is 24/7. This award caused me to reflect on the people in those electorates, who are all salt-of-the-earth types, and on my family who stuck with me right through.
"It reminds me of the wonderful electorate secretaries who worked to keep me on track, and the fabulous workers who were with me in Parliament in Brisbane, working in my portfolio responsibilities."
Mr Cooper said his efforts in Parliament were aided by three sisters from the Trott family at Oakey, who worked successive terms as electorate secretaries.
The last, Sharyn Dreyer, was struck down by cancer and died just three months after Mr Cooper resigned from Parliament.
"I will never forget her," he said.
His fellow recipient of the Order of Australia award David Russell is a well-known Queensland QC. He is a long-time executive member of the National Party and its successor, the LNP.
Leader of The Nationals in federal Parliament Warren Truss paid tribute to his friend, and said his record of service to The Nationals and to Australian public life was extensive.
"David demonstrated excellence and leadership in his profession," Mr Truss said.
"He has a distinguished record of contribution to the Australian community in the legal profession, taxation law, the wine industry, international relations and community groups.
"His strong interest in international relations, particularly with Japan, has seen him assume professional engagements overseas, being involved with the Australia-Japan Society, Queensland since 1970.
Mr Russell served as federal vice-president of The Nationals from 1990-95 and again from 1999-2005, and was State president of The Nationals - Queensland from 1995-99, and federal president from 2005-06.
Mr Russell said his keen support for the merger of The Nationals and the Liberal Party's Queensland Division to form the LNP would face its ultimate test at the State poll on March 24.
"It is wonderful to have this recognition - for myself, but also for all the people with whom I have worked over the years," he said.
"I am lucky to have had the opportunity to serve and the very great honour to do so."
Mr Truss also said "through his family's business, Russell Pastoral Co, David continues to contribute to his community and regional Australia".
The company's flagship property Jimbour is one of Queensland's oldest stations dating back to 1841. In 1844, Jimbour was the departure point for Ludwig Leichhardt's historic journey of discovery to Port Essington in the Northern Territory.
Under Mr Russell and his late wife Debbie, the station's magnificent sandstone homestead and grounds have been restored and opened to the local community for cultural pursuits, including a popular concert series in the homestead gardens.
In 2003 Mr Russell became a committee member of the Australian Regional Winemakers Forum, and from 2004-07 served as its vice-president and one of the members of the Council of the Winemakers Federation of Australia.
Email a friend