WILLIAMS, John Reginald --Williamssenator (talk) 04:51, 14 October 2008 (UTC)
Born - 16/01/1955 Jamestown S.A Senator- 1/07/2008 (Elected November 2007) –Federal Parliament of Australia Current Senate Position – The Nationals Whip in the Senate (22/09/2008) Electorate- New South Wales Schooling-Primary – St James Convent, Jamestown S.A.-Secondary Christian Brothers, Rostrevor College, Adelaide S.A. Joined“The Nationals”1982
Chairman The Nationals Inverell NSW - 1998/2004
Secretary- The Nationals Inverell NSW - 1991/1994
Treasurer- The Nationals Inverell NSW - 1994/1998
Chairman Northern Tablelands Electorate Council NSW 1999/2003
Member National Central Executive – 2003/2007
Member New England Electorate Council- 2004/2007
John Williams lives at Inverell in the New England region of northern New South Wales and was elected to the Senate at the 2007 Federal election. His first term began 1st July 2008 and he was sworn in on the 26th August sitting of the Senate. He delivered his first speech on the 15th September 2008.
After leaving school apart from a few months at Tertiary studies, worked in the rural industry. John Williams was a truck driver 1973-1979 and Shearer 1974-1999. In 1979 he moved with his father and family to the Inverell NSW district, purchasing a grazing property. Here the family went through the normal experiences of farming- droughts, floods, high and low commodity prices. In 1985, a Foreign Currency Loan with interest rates rising to 25.25% caused financial difficulties. This was very tough time for the Williams family. A piggery was constructed in 1988, however shortly afterwards the then Federal Government allowed the import of Canadian pig meat which had a devastating effect on Australian pig producers. Senator Williams is against importing of food to Australia that effectively shuts down our domestic food producers. Due to the downturn in the wool and pig industry, in 1999 he established an importing business. Senator Williams is a strong campaigner for business and in particular small business. “The business sector drives our Nations wealth.” Having been a worker and a small business owner has a good understanding of “how a worker thinks and what goes on in the mind of a business owner.” The business was sold in 2008.
Also a strong believer that those that are in good health and capable of working –should work. “Those that are determined not to work are getting a free ride from the taxpayers of Australia” In Senator Williams first speech he stated” It is about time that they (those not prepared to work) received a touch on the backside from a cattle prodder to get them off their butts and doing some work”
Senator Williams has the most respect for our diggers past and present . His grandfather and father both served in WW1 & WW2 respectively. His father as a rear gunner in a Lancaster bomber. Whilst in Thailand on business the Senator visited the Thai Burma railway and other sites. He was in awe of what our allied prisoners of war (including Australians) went through during 1942-1945.
A fulfilling event in Senator Williams life was becoming a member of the local Apex Club. Upon retirement in 1995 he was honoured to be awarded life membership. He served two years as District Governor and orchestrated Apex’s 1994 campaign for School Bus Safety Awareness. John is currently a member of Inverell East Rotary Club. He is a strong believer in contributing to the community.
Over the years he has been a keen sportsman, playing Australian Rules football for most of his younger years and district cricket until 2000.
John Williams is the proud father of three adult children.
External link- 1. Williams, John R. Parliament of Australia- Parlinfo site 2. Web site - www.johnwilliams.com.au