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Sir Rupert Hamer, Former Victorian Premier, Genuine Liberal, Dies, 87

Mar 30, 2004

Sir Rupert Hamer, Premier of Victoria from 1972 until 1981, died at his home in Melbourne on March 23, 2004.

HamerA major condolence debate took place in the Victorian Legislative Assembly this week.

Extraordinarily, only one member of the House of Representatives, Petro Georgiou, the member for Kooyong, rose to pay tribute to one of the great Liberal figures of the past half-century.

In the Senate, an Australian Democrat, Lyn Allison, moved a condolence motion that was passed without debate.

It is difficult to imagine the Howard government adopting such a stance if the deceased Premier had been a right-winger of the ilk of Henry Bolte. This theme was explored by Alan Ramsey of the Sydney Morning Herald. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Fraser, Howard, Liberal Party, VIC Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Spirit Of The Volunteer: Speech By Peter Costello

Aug 15, 2001

This is the full text of the Inaugural Sir Henry Bolte Lecture given by the Treasurer, Peter Costello, on August 15, 2001, at the Caulfield Racecourse.>

Text of Henry Bolte Lecture by Treasurer Peter Costello.

Peter Costello, Federal TreasurerMr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a singular privilege to be invited to deliver the first Sir Henry Bolte Lecture in honour of the greatest and most successful Premier in Victorian political history: six election victories and an unbroken run as Premier of this State exceeding 17 years. With a record like that, it is fitting to hold an annual lecture to perpetuate the memory and extraordinary deeds of a great Victorian and a great Australian. I congratulate those involved in the formation of the Bolte Lecture Trust and we are honoured to have present with us tonight members of the Bolte family. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Liberal Party, Political History Tagged With: , ,

Rupert “Dick” Hamer Announces His Resignation As Victorian Premier

May 28, 1981

Rupert “Dick” Hamer became Premier of Victoria on August 23, 1972, succeeding the long-serving Sir Henry Bolte.

He served as Premier for nearly nine years, winning elections in 1973, 1976 and 1979.

Hamer’s retirement came amidst political upheaval in the Liberal Party, but he maintained that he intended to retire in August 1981 anyway. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Liberal Party, VIC Tagged With: , , , ,