Hon John Olsen AO

John Wayne Olsen AO

Liberal Party

Former Member

Kavel

House of Assembly

15 September 1979

School of Business Studies, Adelaide;
Kadina Memorial High School

Managing Director JR Olsen and Sons Pty Ltd

Mayor of Kadina 1974-77
SA President, Federation of Chambers of Commerce 1974-76;
Australian Chairman, SA Rural Youth Movement 1970;
President, SA Rural Youth Movement 1969;

John Olsen began his public career as South Australia’s youngest ever Mayor – the Mayor of Kadina from 1974 – 1977. John became the youngest President of the South Australian Liberal Party in 1976 holding the position until 1979. John joined the South Australian Parliament in 1979 as member for Rocky River and became a Minister in 1982. He was Leader of the Opposition in South Australia from 1982 to 1990, before his appointment to the Federal Senate in May 1990. He returned to the South Australian Parliament in 1992 and held several portfolios under the Liberal Government. Becoming Premier in November 1996 John pursued a vigorous program for economic development and corporatisation and privatisation of government services. He resigned from office in October 2001, John was the longest serving Liberal Premier since Playford. He was appointed Australian Consul-General in Los Angeles 2002-2006 and Australian Consul-General in New York 2006-2009.