John Edward Hatton AO (born 29 May 1933) is a former Australian politician, and a National Trust of Australia nominated Australian Living Treasure. He was the independent member of the Legislative Assembly of the New South Wales parliament for the seat of South Coast from 1973 to 1995. Notably, the allegations about police corruption which John raised in Parliament resulted in the Wood Royal Commission. He is currently a social activist in his local community.[1]
John Hatton | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for South Coast | |
| In office 17 November 1973 – 27 February 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Jack Beale |
| Succeeded by | Eric Ellis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Edward Hatton 29 May 1933 Hammondville, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Independent |
Early life and background
editJohn Hatton was born in Hammondville, New South Wales, the son of Harry and Florence Hatton. He was educated at Hammondville Public School, Hurlstone Agricultural High School and Armidale Teachers' College.[2]
He was Foundation President and President for 15 years of the Shoalhaven Combined Progress Associations. [3]
John was the President of the New South Wales Shire of Shoalhavena before his entry into state politics.[4]
State parliamentary career
editJohn was the member for the New South Wales lower house seat of South Coast between 1973 and 1995.[2] A measure of John’s local popularity occurred in the 1976 state election where he polled in excess of 77% of the first preference formal votes.[5] Shortly after becoming elected, John donated a parliamentary pay rise to charity because it had not been granted by an independent body.[6] John Hatton was elected as an independent for this seat for 22 years through the Askin, Lewis, Willis, Wran, Unsworth, Greiner and Fahey governments to 1995.[7] In 1981 John Hatton made NSW Independent history by being elected unopposed. [8]
John Hatton used parliamentary privilege to expose organised crime in the Griffith mafia, police corruption and malfeasance within government departments and agencies.[7] In 1994, by 46 votes to 45, he forced the minority Fahey Government to establish the Wood Royal Commission into Police Corruption. This ground-breaking royal commission overcame objections from the Independent Commission Against Corruption, led to widespread reform of the NSW Police Force and the establishment of the Police Integrity Commission.[7]
Later life
editJohn Hatton continues to advocate for his local community.[9] In 2009 he called for a Royal Commission into property and planning corruption in NSW.[7]
Return to politics
editIn September 2010, John Hatton announced his intention to stand with a team of 21 independents for the New South Wales Legislative Council at the state election on 26 March 2011. The grouping of candidates were known as the John Hatton Independents Team.[10] John and his team were unsuccessful at the 2011 election.
Honours received
edit- Officer of the Order of Australia, General Division, 1999.[11]
- Churchill Fellow 1989[12]
- Jaycees Australia's Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award, Darwin 1970 [13]
Notes
edit- a.^ The City of Shoalhaven was proclaimed in 1979.
References
edit- ^ Richmond, Ruth (2009). The stench in This Parliament: the Authorised Biography of John Hatton AO. Mulwala, NSW. ISBN 978-0-646-52183-1.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b "Mr John Edward Hatton (1933- )". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- ^ "Mr John Edward HATTON (1933 - )". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Shoalhaven Valley and Jervis Bay". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
- ^ NSW State Electoral Results for South Coast. First Preference Votes 1976 p77.
- ^ Richmond, Ruth (2007). The Little Bloke: An Authorized Biography of John Hatton OA (Thesis). University of Wollongong. p. 13. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
- ^ a b c d Dempster, Quentin (9 February 2010). "Anti-corruption campaigner eyes NSW" (transcript). ABC Stateline. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- ^ Richmond, Ruth (2009). The Stench in this Parliament. Ruth Richmond. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-646-52183-1.
- ^ "Old crusader fights tide of high-rise". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 May 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2008.
- ^ Hall, Louise (1 September 2010). "Police Royal Commission MP makes a comeback". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ "Mr John Edward HATTON, AO". Government of Australia. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ "Churchill Fellows Association of New South Wales - List of Fellows". Churchill Fellows Association of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- ^ "Mr John Edward HATTON (1933 - )". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2 February 2024.