Aust. Territories
p. 29 · Read in the full issue
New Boss Of
Mr. C. E. Barnes has relinquished his portfolio as Minister for Austra lian External Territories. He is retiring from the ministry to make way for a younger man before the new Austra lian elections, to be held later this year. Mr. Barnes announced last year that he would not be a contestant at the elections. He is 70.
The new Minister for External Territories, Mr. Andrew Peacock, at 33, is alert, quick-witted, shrewd, and probably the most Left-wing of the Liberals in the Ministry. He was advocating Australian recognition of China years ago.
Mr. Peacock a Melbourne legal man, is a “swinger”, a member of late Prime Minister Holt’s social set and a friend and colleague of Nick Holt. He’s an elegant dresser, as is his young and attractive wife. They lead a busy social life.
Mr. Peacock is a career politician, who realises that if he makes a success of this difficult new portfolio, his career is assured. He has been in Federal Parliament since 1966.
Mr. Andrew Peacock