However, the rapid growth of the Perth metropolitan area, and the strain this put on essential services, eroded the government's popularity, especially after 1969. In addition, Brand's relations with the federal Liberal Party worsened after the retirement of Sir Robert Menzies in 1966. While Brand's administration suffered from a series of controversies relating to environmental, heritage, Aboriginal and housing issues, the impact of production quotas for wheat, imposed by Prime Minister Sir John Gorton led to open conflict with the federal Liberal Party. In the midst of this conflict the Brand government's attempt to demolish the remains of the Colonial Barracks ("the Barracks Arch") immediately opposite the parliament building led to a parliamentary revolt within the Liberal Party. Brand prevented this by dropping the proposal, and agreeing to allow the National Trust to restore the Arch. However, the strains this had caused within the government became evident when Brand collapsed while speaking publicly in 1971. He recovered, but the Coalition lost the election to Labor by one seat, and Tonkin became Premier. Brand led the Liberals in opposition until his resignation in 1973; Sir Charles Court succeeded him as the party's leader. He died of heart disease in Carnamah, Western Australia in 1979. The federal electoral Division of Brand in Western Australia, created in 1984, is named after him, as is the Brand Highway and the Sir David Brand School in Coolbinia. The Sir David Brand Award is the highest award of the West Australian Tourism Awards, in recognition of his work to advance the tourism industry. In popular culture Brand made a guest appearance in the film Nickel Queen while Premier of Western Australia. See also Brand–Watts Ministry (1959–1962) Brand–Nalder Ministry (1962–1971) References External links Australian Dictionary of Biography |- 1912 births 1979 deaths Australian Methodists Australian people of Cornish descent Australian people of Scottish descent Australian Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George Australian politicians awarded knighthoods Leaders of the Opposition in Western Australia Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly People from Dongara, Western Australia Premiers of Western Australia Treasurers of Western Australia Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Western Australia 20th-century Australian politicians Australian monarchists Australian Army personnel of World War II Australian Army soldiers Volunteer Defence Corps soldiers