Peter Dowding

Who is Peter Dowding?

Peter McCallum Dowding SC was the 24th Premier of Western Australia, serving from 25 February 1988 until his resignation on 12 February 1990 after an internal party dispute.

The son of Presbyterian minister and activist Keith Dowding, he was educated at three independent schools: Caulfield Grammar School, The Scots College and Hale School, in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth respectively. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Australia in 1964.

Dowding was elected as a member of Western Australia's Legislative Council for the Australian Labor Party from 1979 to 1986 representing the North Province and, in 1986, was elected as the member for Maylands in the Legislative Assembly.

Having succeeded Brian Burke as premier on 25 February 1988, during the time known as the WA Inc period, he was involved in unravelling a number of business transactions but, as the Government's position in the polls deteriorated, he was challenged as premier and resigned on 12 February 1990, being succeeded by Carmen Lawrence. A royal commission later found that: