Australian Politician John Barrett

The Honourable John Barrett
Senator for Victoria
In office 29 March 1901 – 31 December 1903
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
In office 1 May 1895 – 1 September 1897
Preceded by	William Ievers
Succeeded by	James Moloney
Constituency	Carlton South
Personal details
Born	(1858-12-17)17 December 1858 Carlton, Colony of Victoria
Died	19 May 1928(1928-05-19) (aged 69) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Labor
Alma mater	St Mary's Anglican School, Hotham
Occupation	Tinsmith, unionist

Born in Carlton, Barrett was educated there at St Mary's Anglican School before becoming apprenticed as a tinsmith. He was founder and President of the Tinsmith's Society, and also served as President of the Melbourne Trades Hall Council. In 1895, he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the member for Carlton South, where he remained until 1897. In 1901, he was elected to the Australian Senate as a Labor Senator from Victoria, although he was also endorsed by the Protectionist Party. He was one of only three Labor members elected to the first Parliament from Victoria (the other two were members of the House of Representatives, Frank Tudor and James Ronald). He was defeated in 1903, but continued to be active in the union movement; he was also an active prohibitionist. Barrett died in 1928.