John David Booth

Who was John David Booth?

John David Booth, was a Liberal Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, representing the electorate of Wakehurst from 24 March 1984 to 3 May 1991.

Born in 1950, Webster was educated at Gordon West Public School and Sydney Church of England Grammar School. After graduating high school he attended the University of Sydney, while resident in St Paul's College, where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees. Booth joined the Liberal Party in 1969 while at university and became the President of the Sydney University Liberal Club and rose to be Federal President Australian University Liberal Federation from 1972 to 1974. Booth was then employed as the research officer to Senator Sir John Carrick and as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve.

Booth stood as a candidate for the 1982 Drummoyne by-election where he secured a 13.7% swing against the Labor candidate. This result was interpreted by some as a rebuke against the Wran Government, which had been crippled by electricity blackouts and rationing. After the by-election Booth was employed as political adviser to the Leader of the New South Wales Opposition, John Dowd, from 1982 to 1983.