Peter Durack

Peter Drew Durack, QC (20 October 1926 – 13 July 2008 ) was an Australian politician, representing the Liberal Party. He rose to become Attorney-General of Australia.

He served in the Senate from 1 July 1971 to 30 June 1993. From 1987 to 1989, he was a joint Father of the Senate along with Arthur Gietzelt, and from 1989 until his retirement, he held that title alone.

Early life Durack was born on 20 October 1926 in Subiaco, Western Australia. He was the only child of Pleasance Sarah (née Rowe) and John Peter Durack. His father, a prominent barrister, was a member of the prominent Durack pastoralist family, being a grandson of Patrick Durack and nephew of Michael Durack.

Durack began his education at Anglican primary schools in Subiaco and West Perth, then went on to complete his secondary schooling at Christian Brothers' College, Perth, and Aquinas College. He matriculated to the University of Western Australia (UWA) in 1944, graduating Bachelor of Laws in 1948 and winning the prize for the top fourth-year law student. He was a co-founder of the UWA Liberal Club in 1945, a member of the university's debating team, president of the University of Western Australia Student Guild in 1948, and president of the National Union of Australian University Students from 1948 to 1949.

State politics At the 1965 state election, Durack was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. He defeated the incumbent Australian Labor Party (ALP) member Stan Heal in the seat of Perth by 207 votes. He crossed the floor twice on environmental matters, once to support an opposition bill requiring parliamentary approval for reclamation of land from the Swan River, and once with other Liberals to oppose the demolition of the Barracks Arch.

In 1992, he failed to win preselection by his party for a further term, and his political career ended in June 1993.

The Commonwealth Law Courts Building on Victoria Avenue in Perth, Western Australia were named after Durack in 2005.

He died in Perth on 13 July 2008.

Publications

Durack wrote several books, dealing with legal issues and the Mabo court case, with which he was involved during his time as Attorney-General. Evidence. / The External Affairs Power / Mabo and After (with Ron Brunton & Tony Rutherford). /

Family Durack was a grandson of Kimberley pioneer Jeremiah Durack, who was an uncle of Michael Patrick Durack (1865–1950). He was therefore a cousin of authors Mary and Elizabeth Durack.

Durack was married to Isabel, with whom he had daughter Anne and son Philip.