John Hatton

John Edward Hatton (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 he raised in Parliament resulted in the Wood Royal Commission. He is currently a social activist in his local community.

Early life and background John 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.

He was Foundation President and President for 15 years of the Shoalhaven Combined Progress Associations.

Parliamentary career Hatton was the member for the New South Wales lower house seat of South Coast between 1973 and 1995. Shortly after becoming elected, Hatton donated a parliamentary pay rise to charity because it had not been granted by an independent body. Hatton was elected as an independent for this seat for 22 years through the Robert Askin, Tom Lewis, Eric Willis, Neville Wran, Barrie Unsworth, Nick Greiner and John Fahey governments until 1995. In 1981, Hatton made NSW Independent history by being elected unopposed.

Hatton used parliamentary privilege to expose organised crime in the Griffith mafia, police corruption and malfeasance within government departments and agencies. In 2009 he called for a Royal Commission into property and planning corruption in NSW. Hatton and his team were unsuccessful at the 2011 election.

Honours received Officer of the Order of Australia, General Division, 1999. Churchill Fellow 1989 Jaycees Australia's Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award, Darwin 1970