David Tonkin

The Honourable Dr David Tonkin AO
38th Premier of South Australia
In office 18 September 1979 – 10 November 1982
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor	Sir Keith Seaman Sir Donald Dunstan
Deputy	Roger Goldsworthy
Preceded by	Des Corcoran
Succeeded by	John Bannon
Leader of the Opposition in South Australia
In office 24 July 1975 – 18 September 1979
Deputy	Roger Goldsworthy
Preceded by	Bruce Eastick
Succeeded by	John Bannon
Leader of the South Australian Liberal Party
In office 24 July 1975 – 10 November 1982
Deputy	Roger Goldsworthy
Preceded by	Bruce Eastick
Succeeded by	John Olsen
Treasurer of South Australia
In office 18 September 1979 – 10 November 1982
Premier	Himself
Preceded by	Des Corcoran
Succeeded by	John Bannon
Member for Bragg
In office 30 May 1970 – 10 April 1983
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	Graham Ingerson
Personal details
Born	David Oliver Tonkin (1929-07-20)20 July 1929[1] Unley, South Australia, Australia[1]
Died	2 October 2000(2000-10-02) (aged 71) Mengler Hill, South Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia (SA)
Parent(s)	Oliver Athelstone Prisk Tonkin Bertha Ida Louisa Kennett

David Oliver Tonkin AO (20 July 1929 – 2 October 2000) was an Australian politician who served as the 38th Premier of South Australia 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.