Peter Baume
Peter Baume is a physician and was a Liberal senator for New South Wales from 1974 to 1991, during which time he served as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Health and Minister for Education. Upon retiring from parliament he has been Professor of Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales, Chancellor of The Australian National University and Commissioner of the Australian Law Reform Commission and Foundation Chair at the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.
A Dissident Liberal »
The Political Writings of Peter Baume
Edited by: John Wanna, Marija Taflaga
Authored by: Peter Baume
Publication date: September 2015
In the ‘broad church’ of the Australian Liberal Party, rarely has there been a maverick so unrelenting in his commitment to personal principles as Senator Peter Baume. Over a parliamentary career spanning 17 years, three ministerial portfolios and five party leaders, Baume was increasingly pitted against his own party room.
In A Dissident Liberal: The Political Writings of Peter Baume, we learn of personal threats, crises, constitutional confrontation and the tension between conservatism and classical liberalism—and between ideology and toeing the party line. This collection of personal observations, speeches and commentaries on contentious policy issues presents a valuable resource for students of Australian political history.