John Cherry

John Clifford Cherry (born May 22, 1965) has been an Australian Democrats member of the Australian Senate since 2001, representing the state of Queensland.

Cherry was born in Kilcoy, Queensland. He studied at the University of Queensland, gaining three degrees in law, economics and public administration. While at university, he joined the Australian Labor Party. After spending two years as a journalist with the Townsville Bulletin, he changed careers, becoming an industrial officer with the State Public Services Federation. He continued in the position until 1993, when he took up a position with the Australian Democrats as an economic advisor to the party leader, having resigned as a Labor member the previous year.

As a staffer, Cherry served under the leadership of both Cheryl Kernot and Meg Lees. He played an important role in negotiations over the Goods and Services Tax, helping to secure its passage in exchange for exemptions on food. In 1998, he ran unsuccessfully for the Senate.

He continued on as a party staffer until 2001, when he resigned after admitting to an inquiry that he had been involved in a Labor branch-stacking incident in 1986. Despite this, when John Woodley resigned the same year, Cherry was offered his position in the Senate. His appointment was criticised by the Liberal Party of Australia, due to his involvement in the 1986 incident.

In 2002, Cherry joined his former boss Lees and colleagues Andrew Murray and Aden Ridgeway in forcing out then-leader Natasha Stott Despoja. In the aftermath, they were widely characterised in the media as the "Gang of Four". Cherry is known as one of the more conservative Democrat Senators. In 2003, he played a key role in overturning the party's policy against passing any superannuation laws without the inclusion of same-sex couples, despite the opposition of gay fellow Democrat Senator Brian Greig.

His current portfolio responsibilities include agriculture, broadcasting and communications, charities, employment and employment services, regional development and services, superannuation and housing.

Cherry faced his first election campaign in October 2004. He failed to re-win his seat; instead the sixth Queensland senate seat went to the Nationals.