John Dawkins (South Australian politician)

John Samuel Letts Dawkins (born 3 July 1954) is a South Australian politician, and from late 2020 President of the South Australian Legislative Council, representing the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia until his membership of the party was suspended in late 2020. Dawkins also served as the Premier's Advocate for Suicide Prevention in the Marshall Government from 2018 to 2020.

For the federal Labor politician, see John Dawkins.

The Honourable

John Dawkins

MLC
President of the South Australian Legislative Council
Assumed office
8 September 2020
Preceded byTerry Stephens
Member of the South Australian Legislative Council
Assumed office
11 October 1997
Personal details
Born (1954-07-03) 3 July 1954
Adelaide
NationalityAustralian
Political partyIndependent (2020–present)
Other political
affiliations		Liberal Party of Australia (SA) (1997–2020)
ResidenceGawler, South Australia
Alma materPrince Alfred College
OccupationPrimary producer
Websitejohndawkins.com.au

He was first elected to an eight-year term in the Legislative Council at the 1997 election. He was re-elected for a second eight-year term at the 2006 election, and a third eight-year term at the 2014 election.

Before his entry into SA politics, Dawkins was an Electorate Officer to former Senator and Howard Government Minister; the Hon. Nick Minchin, former Foreign Minister and Liberal Party Leader; the Hon. Alexander Downer AC and former Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives; the Hon. Neil Andrew AO. He has been a member and supporter of many and varied community clubs and organisations, including the Returned and Services League of Australia, and sporting and agricultural bodies.

In September 2020, Dawkins nominated for the vacant position of Legislative Council president against the endorsed Liberal candidate, Jing Lee. After two tied votes, Dawkins was declared elected when his name was drawn from a box. Because he had stood against an endorsed Liberal nominee, he was almost certain to be excluded from the parliamentary Liberal Party.[1][2]

Family

Dawkins was a son of the Hon. Maynard Boyd Dawkins MBE (1917–96), a sheep breeder of Gawler River, former member of Local Government and Member of the South Australian Legislative Council for the Liberal Party from 1962 to 1982.

A cousin of the same name, the Hon. John Dawkins AO, was a politician from the Australian Labor Party and was the federal Treasurer of Australia from 1991 to 1993.

References
  1. "SA Liberal John Dawkins wins presidency then booted from party hours after vote". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  2. Richardson, Tom (8 September 2020). "New Speaker prompts uproar, Govt divided in parliament's day of drama". InDaily. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
Parliament of South Australia
Preceded by
Terry Stephens		 President of the South Australian Legislative Council
2020–present		 Incumbent
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