John Panizza

John Horace Panizza (; 24 March 1931 – 31 January 1997) was an Australian politician. He was a Senator for Western Australia from 1987 until his death in 1997, representing the Liberal Party. He was a farmer before entering politics.

Early life Panizza was born on 24 March 1931 in Southern Cross, Western Australia. He was the son of Caterina Cristina (née Della Bona) and Bortolo "Bob" Panizza. His parents were Italian immigrants; his father was born in Tirano, Lombardy, and arrived in Australia in 1922. He visited Italy in 1928 to marry and on his return settled on a farming property near Marvel Loch, Western Australia.

Panizza was raised on the family farm,

Panizza was reportedly the first Italian-Australian elected to the Senate.

In the Senate, Panizza spoke frequently on agricultural matters and was a "consistent advocate for mineral exploration and development". with the support of Democrats and Greens WA senators.

Panizza served as the Liberal Party's Senate whip from 1995 until his death in office in 1997, having previously served as deputy whip from 1993 to 1995. He opposed the Keating government's Human Rights (Sexual Conduct) Act 1994, which repealed Tasmania's anti-sodomy laws, but ultimately voted in favour of the legislation in line with the Liberal Party's position under Alexander Downer.