David Tonkin, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

David Tonkin

Australian politician, Liberal Party, Premier of South Australia 1979-1982

Date of Birth: 20-Jul-1929

Place of Birth: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Date of Death: 02-Oct-2000

Profession: politician, ophthalmologist

Nationality: Australia

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Dr David Oliver Tonkin AO (20 July 1929 – 2 October 2000) was the 38th Premier of South Australia, serving from 18 September 1979 to 10 November 1982.
He was elected to the House of Assembly seat of Bragg at the 1970 election, serving until 1983.
He became the leader of the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia in 1975, replacing Bruce Eastick.
Initially leading the party to defeat at the 1977 election against the Don Dunstan Labor government, his party won the 1979 election against the Des Corcoran Labor government.
Following the 1980 Norwood by-election the Tonkin government was reduced to a one-seat majority.
His government's policy approach combined economic conservatism with social progressivism.
The Tonkin Liberal government was defeated after one term at the 1982 election by Labor led by John Bannon.