Cultural Advice

Aboriginal Peoples are advised the Library Collection contains images, voices and names of deceased people in physical and online resources.

The Library recognises the significance of the traditional cultural knowledges contained within its Collection. The Library acknowledge some materials contain language that may not reflect current attitudes, was published without consent or recognition, or, is offensive. These materials reflect the views of the authors and/or the period in which they were produced and do not represent the views of the Library.

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Chris Hurford Collection

The Chris Hurford Collection documents the life and career of the Hon Chris Hurford AO (1931-2020).

Hurford studied at the London School of Economics and worked in accountancy before entering politics. He was elected as the Member for Adelaide, representing the Australian Labor Party in the 1969 federal election, holding this position until his retirement in 1987. During his time in parliament, he served as a Shadow Minister for seven years and a Minister of the Hawke Government for five years. After retiring from politics, he served as Australia’s Consul General in New York for four years. In retirement, he continued his interest in political matters, particularly Australian constitutional reform.

This Collection was transferred to the Library from the National Archives of Australia in 2001. It includes Hurford’s personal papers from student days until his retirement from Federal Parliament, photographs, memorabilia and audio-visual material.

Picture - Chris Hurford at the 37th Biennial ALP Conference, July 1986, cropped from (NAA A6180, 28/7/86/32)

Access and explore the collection


The Collection is housed in the Sir Eric Neal Library at the University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus. Access is by appointment only. 

Contact Ask the Library to make an appointment.

You can discover what is in the Collection through looking at the Box List, or explore the Collection by browsing Collection Discovery or searching the Special Collections Catalogue.

Digital copies of some items are available by browsing Collection Discovery or searching the Special Collections Catalogue.

Biography


The Hon Chris J. Hurford, AO, studied at the London School of Economics and worked as an accountant before he entered parliament in 1969, as Member for the House of Representatives for Adelaide. He held this seat until his retirement in 1987.

Hurford's political career included serving as a Labor Shadow Minister for seven years and a Minister of the Hawke Government for five years. Hurford was the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs between 1984 and 1987 and the Minister for Community Services in 1987. One of Hurford's major contributions was developing a skills-based immigration policy to help build the economy.

Hurford resigned from politics in 1987 and served as Australia’s Consul General in New York for four years. After his retirement, Hurford continued his interest in political matters, particularly Australian Constitutional Reform. Hurford died on 15 November 2020.

Picture - Chris Hurford, Bob Hawke and Rosemary Crowley in the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Library, UniSA Library 2011

Discover more


Resources in other collections

Biographical information

Featuring Chris Hurford