Hon Dr David Tonkin AO

David Oliver Tonkin AO

20 July 1929

Liberal Party

Former Member

Bragg

House of Assembly

30 May 1970

Trained as an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), David Tonkin entered politics in 1970 as Liberal member for Bragg, a position he held until his retirement from politics in 1983. He was instrumental in the development of the Sex Discrimination Act (1975), and was elected Leader of the Liberal Party (SA Division) in 1975, becoming Leader of the Opposition. Tonkin became Premier and Treasurer following the defeat of the Labor Government in 1979, and remained in power until the 1982 Election, which returned Labor to government. Dr Tonkin immediately resigned as Liberal Party Leader and the following year as Member for Bragg.

Upon retirement from politics, Dr Tonkin served as Chair of the State Opera Company (1985-86), Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (1986-92), based in London, and served as Chair of the South Australian Film Corporation (1994-96). He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1993. Dr Tonkin died in 2000.

A portrait of Tonkin, by South Australian artist Tsering Hannaford, unveiled in 2021, hangs in Parliament House.

01 October 2000