 | Parts of this article (those related to article) need to be updated. (May 2022) |
John Dawkins | |
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| President of the South Australian Legislative Council | |
| In office 8 September 2020 – 19 March 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Terry Stephens |
| Succeeded by | Terry Stephens |
| Member of the South Australian Legislative Council | |
| In office 11 October 1997 – 19 March 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 July 1954 Adelaide |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Independent (2020–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal Party of Australia (SA) (1997–2020) |
| Residence(s) | Gawler, South Australia |
| Alma mater | Prince Alfred College |
| Occupation | South Australian Politician |
John Samuel Letts Dawkins (born 3 July 1954) is a South Australian Politician. He was a member of the South Australian Legislative Council, representing the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia from 1997 until 2020, when he was expelled for accepting the opposition's nomination as President of the Legislative Council. He served as an independent MLC, and as president, until March 2022, when he retired.[1]
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.[1]
Dawkins represented the Liberal Party of South Australia until September 2020 after he decided to nominate for the vacant Legislative Council President role. This nomination was against his own Liberal-endorsed colleague Jing Lee. Although Dawkins won the vote, he was expelled from the Liberal Party for standing against the party's endorsed candidate.[2][3]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "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.
- ^ Richardson, Tom (8 September 2020). "New Speaker prompts uproar, Govt divided in parliament's day of drama". InDaily. Retrieved 8 September 2020.