IAN GILFILLAN's
POLITICAL CAREER
Ian has always been outside the old
political parties. His interest in politics began in 1969, when he joined the former
Australia Party. Ian was the No. 1 candidate for the Senate in 1974. As the Australia
Party merged into the Australian Democrats, he stood as No. 1 Senate candidate for the
Democrats in 1977, just missing out.
In 1982, Ian was elected to the South
Australian Parliament as a Legislative Councillor, becoming leader in 1985 after the
retirement of Lance Milne.
From 1982 to 1993, Ian was renowned
for tackling challenging issues and proposals, such as:
- State Bank mismanagement
- Backing an Independent Commission
Against Corruption
- Prostitution reform
- Workers Compensation Reform
- Native vegetation protection
- The “Westpac Letters”
disclosure
- Gun Control
In
1987, Ian founded the Adelaide Parklands Preservation Association, in which he now serves
as President, championing the Adelaide Parklands as an invaluable part of Colonel
Light’s vision for Adelaide.
In 1993, Ian stood for the Lower
House (Legislative Assembly) seat of Norwood, but was unsuccessful, so returned full-time
to the farm, for the next four years.
In the period 1993-1997, Ian contested the
1996 Federal election, as the Australian Democrats No. 2 Senate candidate and in
1996, became President of the SA Division of the Democrats in July 1996, (re-elected
in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000).
In the aftermath of the 1996 Port
Arthur massacre, Ian organised a rally and then convened a meeting to establish the Gun
Control Coalition of S.A. and remains a committee member.
In 1997, Ian was successful in returning to
State Parliament. The October 1997 State election was the first time that the
Australian Democrats had two Legislative Councillors elected in South Australia at one
election. Both the leader Mike Elliott and Ian were returned, joining Sandra Kanck (who
was elected in 1993) to form a three-member team in Parliament.
