Sad news shocks a grateful nation:
SIR JOH GONE!

Sir Joh...slipped away quietly

Queenslanders are today grappling with the news that the state has lost one of its most controversial and colourful politicians, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.
Sir Joh – Queensland’s longest-serving premier who has been in failing health for the past year – was admitted to Kingaroy Base Hospital earlier this week for treatment of a minor complaint.
A spokeswoman for the hospital broke the unexpected news early today.
She said nursing staff had given Sir Joh his evening meal and kept an eye on him during the night. “He appeared to be sleeping peacefully,” the spokeswoman said.
“As usual, he was muttering in his sleep about trade unions and the socialist Labor wreckers, but that’s quite normal for him.
“When the night nurse checked him again around midnight he was gone. He seems to have just slipped away quietly.
“We’re as shocked as I’m sure everyone else in the nation is. Our thoughts are with Lady Flo and their family at this time,” the spokeswoman said.