Neal Blewett
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The Honourable Neal Blewett AC |
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| Member of the Australian Parliament for Bonython |
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In office 10 December 1977 – 11 February 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Martin Nicholls |
| Succeeded by | Martyn Evans |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
24 October 1933 Launceston, Tasmania, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse(s) | Jill Blewett (m.1962-d.1988) |
| Domestic partner | Robert Brain (1989-present) |
| Alma mater |
University of Tasmania Jesus College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Academic |
Neal Blewett, AC (born 24 October 1933), Australian politician, was an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives representing the Division of Bonython, South Australia from 1977 to 1994.
Born in Launceston, Tasmania, Blewett was educated at Launceston High School and the University of Tasmania, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and a Diploma of Education. Blewett received a Rhodes Scholarship and studied PPE at Jesus College, Oxford between 1957 and 1959 for a further BA (later converted to a Master of Arts). He also obtained a DPhil in political science. In 1974, he was appointed professor of politics at Flinders University in South Australia, until 1977 when he ran for parliament. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Tasmania in 1998.
When Labor under Bob Hawke won government in the 1983 election, Blewett was made Minister for Health. In 1987, with the introduction of "super-departments", he gained additional responsibilities as Minister for Community Services and Health. As Health Minister, he oversaw many important reforms such as the implementation of the Medicare universal health scheme, the Disability Services Act 1986, a 'Drug Offensive' which included tobacco smoking and alcohol, and a national strategy to combat HIV/AIDS. The strategy included a major education and advertising campaign (including the famous 'Grim Reaper' advertisements), and anti-discrimination legislation against HIV/AIDS sufferers.
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