The Hon John Herron AO is remembered as a man who dedicated himself to others as a parliamentarian, surgeon and humanitarian.
John Herron was a Senator for Queensland from 1990 to 2002. He was Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs from 1996 until 2001.
After leaving the Senate, he served as Australian Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See from 2002 to 2006.
The great theme of John Herron’s life was medicine. It was tremendous life experience he brought into the Parliament.
John Herron served in the Royal Australian Medical Corps Reserve and the RAAF Reserve for thirty years.
Following the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, John Herron volunteered to go to Rwanda as a medic. He saw things that were unimaginable. He suffered for seeing them.
Prior to entering the Senate and near the end of his Parliamentary career, John Herron served as President of the Liberal Party in Queensland (1980 – 1984 and 2001 – 2002). This reflected the great trust that members across the Party had in him.
In retirement, Dr Herron continued his active support of medical causes including serving as Chairman of the Australian National Council on Drugs, and Chairman of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation.
On behalf of the Liberal Party and the Government I extend our sincerest condolences to his wife Jan and their many children and descendants.
Scott Morrison
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