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Dr Antonio Buti, a senior law lecturer at The University of Western Australia, has won the major prize in the 2007 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards for his penetrating biography - Sir Ronald Wilson:  A Matter of Conscience.

The annual literary award was inaugurated in 1982 to honour and celebrate the literary achievements of Western Australian writers, and offers $20,000 in prize money for the Premier's Book Award and $7,500 for each of the seven category awards.

Four of The University of Western Australia Press's 2007 titles were shortlisted for the state category literary awards.

UWA Press Director and Publisher, Associate Professor Terri-ann White, highlighted the importance of acknowledging the high quality of books being produced in WA.  "We are thrilled for Antonio, whose efforts in producing this detailed account of Sir Ronald's life have been recognised and celebrated."

Dr Buti's biography also won the non-fiction category award.  It received much acclaim at the time of its release.

A Matter of Conscience tells of an incredible life, a stellar legal career and the highs and lows of the late Sir Ronald's responsibilities as High Court Justice, President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Chancellor of Murdoch University, President of the Uniting Church of Australia, and human rights campaigner.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Antonio Buti is a graduate of The University of Western Australia, the Australian National University and Oxford University.  His doctoral thesis was on guardianship law and the removal of Aboriginal children from their families.  Dr Buti lectures in law at The University of Western Australia, is currently completing a doctorate in law from Yale University and is a JLV/Louis Johnson Memorial Trust Fellow.

Media references

Dr Antonio Buti (+61 8)  6488 2957  /  (+61 4) 15 662 747
Associate Professor Terri-ann White (UWA Press)  (+61 8)  6488 1343  /  (+61 4) 05 390 805
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716