Peter Blazey

Peter Blazey (1939-1997), author, journalist and gay rights activist established a significant reputation as a chronicler of Australian mainstream politics and life on the fringe. He was born in Melbourne where his father, Alan, was the founder of the agricultural supply company Hortico. In the 1970s and 1980s he worked for The Nation Review, The National Times, The Bulletin and the ABC. Later he wrote for the gay and lesbian magazine Outrage. He served as press secretary to two Federal Minsters, Andrew Peacock and Dr Moss Cass and adviser to NSW Liberal leader, Rosemary Foot. As a gay activist he stood unsuccessfully as the Gay Solidarity Group candidate in the 1978 by-election for the NSW seat of Earlwood and he went on to champion alternative therapy for people suffering from aids. In 1986 he went to the United States where he wrote celebrity journalism out of Hollywood. His books include: Bolte: A Political Biography (1972); The Political Dice Men (1974); The Secret Life of Jeffrey Kennett Aged 45 1/4 (1993) Love Cries (1995) and Screw Loose: an uncalled-for memoir (1997).