Des Corcoran briefly South Australian premier in 1979 after nine years as unlikely deputy to Don Dunstan

Des Corcoran followed his father in representing the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Millicent from 1962.
Image courtesy State Library of South Australia

J.D. “Des” Corcoran was briefly premier in 1979 after serving as deputy premier in 1968 and again from 1970-1979 in an unlikely partnership with Don Dunstan.

A World War II and Korean War army veteran, Corcoran followed his father in representing the House of Assembly seat of Millicent in 1962.

When Labor won government in South Australia in 1965 for the first time in 32 years, Corcoran became minister of irrigation, lands, and repatriation. Premier Frank Walsh made Corcoran, also staunchly anti communist and a devout Catholic, his chief political confidant.

When the septuagenarian Walsh retired in 1967, Corcoran challenged Dunstan for the leadership, but lost by three votes. Dunstan named Corcoran deputy leader and created the position of deputy premier.

Labor lost at the 1968 election, after losing two marginal rural seats. Corcoran was nearly defeated in his own seat, winning by one vote over the Liberal Country League’s Martin Cameron. He won more comfortable at a later byelection.  

After Labor's win in 1970, Corcoran again became deputy premier and minister for public works, marine and harbours. Over nine years, Dunstan and Corcoran made an unlikely but working team. Corcoran privately opposed many Dunstan social reforms, such as liberalised abortion and homosexuality.

When Dunstan resigned in 1979, Corcoran (now representing the city seat of Hartley) was elected premier (also treasurer and ethnic affairs minister).

Cororan called a snap election (without telling the party officials). Labor suffered an 8% swing and lost to the Liberals under David Tonkin. Corcoran resigned as Labor leader and was succeed by the younger John Bannon. Corcoran didn't run in the 1982 election won by Labor.