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To protest against a prison sentence imposed on a stripper, the university’s Women’s Action Group, led by Peggy (Anne Pendlebury), decides to stage a live sex act on campus. Volunteer Moira Winton (Belinda Giblin) challenges Petersen (Jack Thompson) to take part with her.
Curator’s notes
Petersen is set during a time of great social and political upheaval in Australia. In this scene, the rising voice of feminism (or 'women’s lib’ as it was also called) is heard. The spirit of the radical times is carried in Moira’s suggestion that a sexual act be performed in public as a protest against discriminatory laws. Petersen’s first response shows him to be the kind of chauvinist the women are fighting against. When the resolution is passed and Moira challenges him to participate, Petersen’s acceptance has more to do with the excitement of taking part in a lewd prank than making a political statement.
