Career
Quinn took the reins in Civic Cabinet of Development and Planning and continued in this role for the next 12 years, playing an important role during this period of dramatic transformation in Brisbane. Urban Renewal of the inner city commenced, Local Area Plans were established in conjunction with character housing protection provision to retain Brisbane"s distinctive "tin and timber" character. Ugly "six pack" units were banned with design guidelines overhauled and Suburban Centre Improvement Schemes were also commenced in 1996 to revitalise traditional local shopping strips and are now widespread throughout the city.,
Quinn became Brisbane"s Lord Mayor following Lord Mayor Jim Soorley"s retirement from politics in 2003 after serving as Deputy Mayor since 1997.
Quinn, part of the left wing faction of the Australian Labor Party, was subsequently defeated by Campbell Newman in March 2004 after a big spending Liberal campaign.
