John Anderson (Australian politician)

John Duncan Anderson, born November 14, 1956, in Sydney, is an Australian politician who represented the Division of Gwydir in the House of Representatives from 1989 to 2007 and served as leader of the National Party and deputy prime minister of Australia from 1999 to 2005 under Prime Minister John Howard. As Minister for Primary Industries and Energy from 1996 to 1998, he oversaw the deregulation of the wool, wheat and dairy sectors and the privatization of much of the meat and livestock industry, before serving as Minister for Transport and Regional Development from 1998 to 2005. He served on Australia's National Security Committee from 1999 to 2005, including through the aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombings, and later became active in media commentary and advocacy on conservative causes.