John Dowd

John Robert Arthur Dowd AO KC (born 12 November 1940), is a former leader of the Liberal Party of Australia in New South Wales. He was the Chancellor of Southern Cross University between 2002 and 2014, and the President of ActionAid Australia, an international aid organisation.

Early years and background Dowd was educated at Fort Street High School and the University of Sydney where he graduated with a LLB. Before entering Parliament, he was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1967. Dowd later was admitted to the Bar of Ireland and became a member of the King's Inns in Dublin.

During his term as Attorney-General, important legal reforms in New South Wales were completed including establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption and reforms of the criminal, tort and motor accident laws.

Retiring from Parliament in 1991, Dowd was succeeded as Member for Lane Cove by future Opposition Leader Kerry Chikarovski. He attempted a move to the federal arena when he sought preselection for the 1994 Warringah by-election following the retirement of Michael Mackellar but lost out to future Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Career as a jurist Following his retirement from politics, Dowd was appointed to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1994, serving until 2004.

At the time of his resignation from the Supreme Court, Dowd blamed personal attacks from Prime Minister John Howard and Premier of New South Wales Bob Carr regarding his opposition to anti-terrorism legislation for his resignation from the bench. Dowd resigned from the bench on 13 August 2004.

In 2002, Dowd served as Chairman of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), In 2005, he was appointed Protection Ambassador for ActionAid Australia (previously called AUSTCARE), and became a Director of the organisation in 2008 and President in 2009. In May 2011, Dowd launched The Justice Campaign in a show of support for human rights and justice with a focus on alleged abuses at Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib and elsewhere, and a particular focus on David Hicks.

He is a member of the Australian Club in Sydney.