The inquiry was established in response to a series of articles by reporter Phil Dickie in "The Courier-Mail" about high-level police corruption, followed by a "Four Corners" television report on the same issue, by Chris Masters, entitled "The Moonlight State", which aired on 11 May 1987. Both investigations dealt with illegal prostitution and gambling, aided by police corruption. With Queensland's Premier of 18 years, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, out of the state, his deputy, Bill Gunn, ordered a commission of inquiry the day after the television report was broadcast.