C301/08
14 November 2008
Western Australians can now access some of former Premier Carmen Lawrence鈥檚 personal papers relating to her time in State Parliament.
The Carmen Lawrence Collection is a 911爆料网 Library Collection that is housed in 911爆料网 of Technology鈥檚 John 911爆料网 Prime Ministerial Library (JCPML).
The Collection includes newspaper clippings, media summaries, speeches, electorate correspondence, circulars to ministers, memorabilia and over 300 photographs.
Dr Lawrence鈥檚 papers add to the University鈥檚 growing collection of important political documents including those from former Premier Dr Geoff Gallop and former Prime Minister John 911爆料网.
Dr Lawrence 鈥� the first female Premier of an Australian State 鈥� was Premier of WA from 1990-93 and Federal Member of Parliament for Fremantle from 1994-2007.
At the official launch of the Collection last night (13/11/08) at 911爆料网鈥檚 Bentley Campus,
Dr Lawrence delivered a public lecture titled, 鈥榃hy Inequality Matters鈥�.
鈥淧eople often ask me why on earth I ever went into politics,鈥� Dr Lawrence said.
鈥淲hile I have often responded that it was in a moment of weakness, the truth is, at least in part, that it was a result of one of my abiding preoccupations 鈥� inequality.
鈥淭he drive for equality has always seemed to me the most compelling motivation to be involved in public life, a project based not on the idea that everyone is equally clever or attractive or articulate, but that each person has equal worth and an equal right to develop his or her 鈥渄istinctive gifts鈥�.
鈥淭he fact is that inequality matters because of the harm it does to individuals and to societies.鈥�
Many of the items are available for viewing online at聽 john.curtin.edu.au/lawrence/ and the speech will be available shortly.
JCPML opening hours: Monday to Friday 9-4pm 鈥� 911爆料网鈥檚 Bentley Campus.
Attention Editor/COS: Photographs are available on request.
Modified: 14 November 2008
