On Safari in Parliament

In Australia during the 1970s the Safari became popular and sported by many politicians including Bob Hawke, John Howard, and South Australia’s Premier Don Dunstan.

On 24 February 1982, after his political career, the Australian Women’s Weekly referred to Dunstan as the ‘…high priest of the safari suit…’ and that he wore his suit ‘…open at the chest with a typical object d’art such as a huge opal set in rough gold hanging from his neck.’

Dunstan advocated for clothing appropriate to the Australian climate. During his premiership the dress code for Parliament was relaxed and the suit and tie was no longer seen as obligatory.

On display now.

Dunstan Collection, Flinders University Library