John Coates (politician)

John Coates (born 23 March 1944) is an Australian retired politician. Born in Melbourne, he was educated at the University of Sydney, after which he became a biochemist at the University of Tasmania. In 1972, he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Labor member for Denison, defeating sitting Liberal MP Robert Solomon. He was defeated by Liberal candidate Michael Hodgman in 1975, but in 1980 returned to politics when he was elected to the Senate. He remained a Senator until he resigned his place on 20 August 1996, six months after the federal election that had removed Labor from power.[1]

John Coates
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Denison
In office
2 December 1972  13 December 1975
Preceded byRobert Solomon
Succeeded byMichael Hodgman
Senator for Tasmania
In office
1 July 1981  20 August 1996
Succeeded byKerry O'Brien
Personal details
Born (1944-03-23) 23 March 1944
Melbourne, Victoria
NationalityAustralian
Political partyAustralian Labor Party
Alma materUniversity of Sydney
OccupationBiochemist

Coates announced his resignation from the Senate on the same day that his ALP colleague Senator Mal Colston left the party and with Coalition support was elected Deputy President of the Senate. Senator Coates announced his resignation in the Senate just shortly after Colston's election as Deputy Senate President and when Senator Coates made this announcement there was an interjection from across the chamber from Liberal Senator Alan Ferguson. In reference to the Colston defection earlier in the day, Senator Ferguson in response to Senator Coates' announcement said "Another one." Whilst still in the middle of making his resignation speech, Senator Coates responded in kind by saying, "From the Senate not from the Australian Labor Party."

References

  1. Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Archived from the original on 20 July 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2008.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Robert Solomon
Member for Denison
1972 1975
Succeeded by
Michael Hodgman


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