Abstract

Don Dunstan was the democratic socialist and transformative Premier of South Australia from 1967-68 and 1970-79. Under Dunstan, SA achieved major constitutional reform and led the nation in a range of areas from Aboriginal rights to the decriminalization of homosexuality. Dunstan also prioritised women’s issues from the availability of contraception and child care, to part-time work. His governments criminalized marital rape, passed a Sex Discrimination Act and appointed an Equal Opportunities Commissioner. This paper will consider Dunstan’s work towards equality for women, in the context of the Women’s Liberation movement and national reforms. Drawn from a biography in progress, it will also consider influences on Dunstan’s thinking, including the impact of several important women in his life.

Angela Woollacott is the Manning Clark Professor of History, School of History, CASS, and the Immediate Past President of the Australian Historical Association. Her most recent book Settler Society in the Australian Colonies: Self-Government and Imperial Culture (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015) was shortlisted for the 2015 Queensland Literary Awards--University of Southern Queensland History Prize. She is researching and writing a biography of Don Dunstan, with the support of an ARC Discovery grant.

This seminar is part of the Gender and History node seminar series.