Andrew Peacock

After the Menzies’ retirement in 1966, Andrew Peacock took over his seat. Many considered this auspicious, and Peacock never seemed to doubt his suitability for the job of Prime Minister. After a swing to Labor in the 1980 election, Peacock posed a serious threat to Fraser’s leadership on a number of occasions. Fraser held on to the position until his retirement following the 1983 election. Peacock’s first period as Opposition Leader didn’t last as long as many expected. Shadow Treasurer John Howard emerged as a rival and took over in 1985. When Peacock made a comeback in 1989, Paul Keating unkindly asked, ‘does souffle rise twice?’ Keating was ultimately proved right when Peacock stood down after losing the 1990 election. Pickering’s work on Peacock during the 1980s reveals something of this Leader who never quite fulfilled his ambitions.

Peacock was often seen as a trendy socialite with a contemporary style and panache that contrasted with Fraser and Howard’s more traditional appearances. Many commentators suggest it was an image Peacock often tried to down play, concerned about perceptions that he was all style and no substance. If Peacock was trying to down play this image, Pryor was busy playing it up! Pryor’s Peacock is ultra trendy and usually appears with funky elongated collar, sunglasses and gold chain necklace, often sporting a night club suntan! On Pryor’s drawing board Peacock emerges as a bit of a playboy, with a supremely self-confident edge. Yet Pryor also reveals something of Peacock’s perceived tendency to take himself a little too seriously when things didn’t go as planned.

Top: Although Andrew Peacock took over leadership of the Liberal Party after the Party’s loss in the 1983 election, John Howard soon became a contender. Howard eventually toppled Peacock, becoming Opposition Leader in 1985.

Bottom: Opposition Leader, Andrew Peacock, chases land rights votes.