Post by Lotus Eater on Mar 4, 2004 8:39:42 GMT 7
Courier Mail today:
Joh's family prepared for the worst
By Chris Herde
04mar04
THE family of ailing former Queensland premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen was prepared for the worst, his son John said today.
The 93-year-old is blind, unable to speak and is suffering the effects of advanced Parkinson's disease, post-polio syndrome and supranuclear palsy.
Sir Joh's son John said his father was no longer able to swallow and was being fed by a drip.
He said his family was prepared for the worst.
"It's a gradual process with the disease he's got. It's not improving – you can put it that way," John said.
"It really is a one-day-at-a-time thing.
Sir Joh remained at his family property of Bethany near Kingaroy in Queensland's south Burnett region with full-time care.
Over the last few weeks friends and family have visited Sir Joh, who celebrated his birthday in January.
John said his father's strong Lutheran faith was sustaining the controversial former National Party premier, who led Queensland for a record 19 years.
"He knows when we go there and see him," he said.
"He's got a very strong heart."
Lady Flo said her husband was happy to be on the family property at Bethany.
"He's always loved Bethany. He's been here for 91 years and it's a long time," she told ABC radio.
Sir Joh made his last public appearance in August last year.
At that time, a group of businessmen chipped in to fly him by helicopter to the new $280 million Suncorp Stadium, where Premier Peter Beattie took him on an inspection.
Taking a helicopter ride over south-east Queensland to see how much it had grown had been Sir Joh's birthday wish for many years.
Last year, Sir Joh lodged a compensation bid with the Queensland Government for $353 million relating to a loss of income and legal costs caused by the Fitzgerald Inquiry into corruption.
The claim was based on the premise the inquiry into police corruption was not properly authorised before it began in 1987.
The inquiry led to Sir Joh leaving office and facing court on perjury charges.
His first claim was rejected by the Government.
In December, Sir Joh launched a second claim, scaled back to $1.5 million to cover legal costs.
John Bjelke-Petersen said the family was still waiting to hear back from the Beattie Government over Sir Joh's latest application.
However, I don't even think a 'sympathy for dying man' vote will gain him any totally UNdeserved compensation!
Joh's family prepared for the worst
By Chris Herde
04mar04
THE family of ailing former Queensland premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen was prepared for the worst, his son John said today.
The 93-year-old is blind, unable to speak and is suffering the effects of advanced Parkinson's disease, post-polio syndrome and supranuclear palsy.
Sir Joh's son John said his father was no longer able to swallow and was being fed by a drip.
He said his family was prepared for the worst.
"It's a gradual process with the disease he's got. It's not improving – you can put it that way," John said.
"It really is a one-day-at-a-time thing.
Sir Joh remained at his family property of Bethany near Kingaroy in Queensland's south Burnett region with full-time care.
Over the last few weeks friends and family have visited Sir Joh, who celebrated his birthday in January.
John said his father's strong Lutheran faith was sustaining the controversial former National Party premier, who led Queensland for a record 19 years.
"He knows when we go there and see him," he said.
"He's got a very strong heart."
Lady Flo said her husband was happy to be on the family property at Bethany.
"He's always loved Bethany. He's been here for 91 years and it's a long time," she told ABC radio.
Sir Joh made his last public appearance in August last year.
At that time, a group of businessmen chipped in to fly him by helicopter to the new $280 million Suncorp Stadium, where Premier Peter Beattie took him on an inspection.
Taking a helicopter ride over south-east Queensland to see how much it had grown had been Sir Joh's birthday wish for many years.
Last year, Sir Joh lodged a compensation bid with the Queensland Government for $353 million relating to a loss of income and legal costs caused by the Fitzgerald Inquiry into corruption.
The claim was based on the premise the inquiry into police corruption was not properly authorised before it began in 1987.
The inquiry led to Sir Joh leaving office and facing court on perjury charges.
His first claim was rejected by the Government.
In December, Sir Joh launched a second claim, scaled back to $1.5 million to cover legal costs.
John Bjelke-Petersen said the family was still waiting to hear back from the Beattie Government over Sir Joh's latest application.
However, I don't even think a 'sympathy for dying man' vote will gain him any totally UNdeserved compensation!
