John was elected in September 1999 for the Dandenong North electorate in the Legislative Assembly. He was re-elected to the Victorian Parliament in November 2002 for Waverley Province in the Legislative Council and in 2006 was re-elected for the new Southern Metropolitan Region.
He was first appointed to Cabinet in February 2002 and has held the portfolios of Finance, Industrial Relations, Consumer Affairs, Major Projects, WorkCover, Education, Treasurer, ICT, Financial Services and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.
Prior to his election, John worked as an official of the Australian Labor Party. As State Secretary from 1994 until after the 1999 State election, he oversaw the administration of the Victorian Branch and was its campaign director for both the unsuccessful 1996 and successful 1999 State Elections.
The son of Gippsland dairy farmers, John moved to Melbourne for tertiary studies. During his student days, he was employed in a number of industries and services in the La Trobe Valley and Melbourne.
Whilst completing his second degree, John began working for Clyde Holding MP through a range of interesting and challenging portfolios. As well as being closely involved in ALP affairs, he also spent three years as treasurer of his local kindergarten; served on the Finance Committee of his local church and was a volunteer at the Commonwealth Games. John and his wife Elisabeth live with their three adult children in Carnegie.