Fifty-three years ago, on this day, May 27th, 1971, the colony joins the club…
The Prime Minister, Mr McMahon, announced yesterday the appointment of Mr Peter Howson to the Federal ministry.
Mr Howson, of Victoria, will become Minister for the newly formed Department of the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts.
Anon, 1971. Mr Howson is new Minister. Canberra Times Friday 28 May, page 1
“When McMahon finally got the job in 1971, Howson lined up for his reward. Having held down a junior ministry during the Menzies, Holt and even Gorton years, he thought he was in line for promotion. But it was not to be. As he left the new prime minister’s office, a colleague asked him what he had got. Howson snarled back: “The little bastard gave me trees, boongs and poofters.””
https://www.crikey.com.au/2009/02/05/peter-howson-minister-for-trees-boongs-and-poofters/
The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 326ppm. As of 2024 it is 425ppm, but check here for daily measures.
The context was that there had been rising concern about environmental issues, air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, pollution pollution population the culling of kangaroos and wildlife biodiversity crisis happening. There was a new prime minister Billy McMahon and he wanted to show how in touch with the ordinary man in the street he was so he created the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, Arts and Aboriginal Affairs.
What we learn is that while other nations were creating standalone environment departments, Australia’s ambition was pitiful and tokenistic.
What happened next? Howson along with many of his Liberal mates, lost the 1972 election that swept Gough Whitlam into power. And the next environment minister was Moss Cass, who was an altogether more impressive figure.
What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.
Also on this day:
May 27, 1973 – World Council of Churches wrings its hands
May 27, 1996 – Not just a river in Egypt – denial in #Australia, organised, ramifying…