John Quirke

John Andrew Quirke (born 9 September 1950) is a former Australian politician. He served as a Senator for South Australia from 1997 to 2000, representing the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He previously served in the South Australian House of Assembly from 1989 to 1997, holding the seat of Playford.

Early life Quirke was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, the son of Mary and William Patrick Quirke. His father was a fitter at a shipbuilding company on the Mersey. The family immigrated to Australia as Ten Pound Poms in 1959. They settled in Adelaide, South Australia, where Quirke attended Elizabeth High School. He subsequently graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education. From 1973 to 1977 Quirke was a history teacher at Craigmore High School. He then transferred to Concordia College, a Lutheran school.

Politics Early involvement Quirke joined the ALP in 1979 and served as president of its Mount Lofty branch. He was elected to the state executive in 1986 and was a delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference. He first stood for parliament at the 1984 federal election, losing to Alexander Downer in the Division of Mayo. He then stood unsuccessfully for the seat of Alexandra at the 1985 South Australian state election. In the same year he joined the staff of Senator Dominic Foreman. He held numerous portfolios, including that of Shadow Treasurer from February 1994. Quirke was originally a member of the party's Centre Left faction, but joined the Labor Right faction in 1995 as part of a mass defection following a preselection dispute. He was known as a factional powerbroker. In 2016, the Australian Taxation Office applied to wind up Pallidon.

Quirke also served as a non-executive director of copper miner Hillgrove Resources from 2005 to 2013.

Personal life Quirke has four children with his wife Davina. He suffers from Type 2 diabetes.