John David Jess, (15 April 1922 – 18 October 2003) was an Australian politician. Born in

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

, he was the son of Sir Carl Jess and Marjory Mary Jess ( McGibbon). Educated at

Melbourne Grammar School Melbourne Grammar School is an Australian private school, private Anglican Church of Australia, Anglican Day school, day and boarding school. It comprises a co-educational preparatory school from Prep to Year 6 and a middle school and senior s ...

, he was a lieutenant in the

Citizens Military Force The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen ...

during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, serving in Melbourne and Queensland, before becoming an estate agent. He was elected to the

Australian House of Representatives The House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameralism, bicameral Parliament of Australia, the upper house being the Australian Senate, Senate. Its composition and powers are set out in Chapter I of the Constitution of Australia. ...

in a 1960

by-election A by-election, also known as a special election in the United States and the Philippines, or a bypoll in India, is an election used to fill an office that has become vacant between general elections. A vacancy may arise as a result of an incumben ...

for the seat of La Trobe, representing the

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. For example, while the political systems ...

. He held the seat until his defeat in 1972. He was instrumental in bringing about the second Royal Commission into the ''Melbourne''–''Voyager'' ship collision in 1964. He was known throughout his 12-year career in politics as the "Seeker of Justice" for his efforts in fighting for issues of justice. Jess died in 2003.

References

McCarthy (née Jess) E. (2015) John Jess Seeker of Justice the Role of the Parliament in the HMAS Voyager Tragedy 1922 births 2003 deaths Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia Members of the Australian House of Representatives for La Trobe Members of the Australian House of Representatives Australian Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Australian people of German descent Australian MPs 1958–1961 Australian MPs 1961–1963 Australian MPs 1963–1966 Australian MPs 1966–1969 Australian MPs 1969–1972 {{Australia-Liberal-politician-stub