John Elferink

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John Elferink is an Australian former politician who served in the Northern Territory Parliament for the Country Liberal Party. He represented MacDonnell from 1997 to 2005 and Port Darwin from 2008 to 2016.

Early life and career
- Born Johan Wessel Elferink on 24 September 1965 in the Netherlands. He moved to Australia with his family in 1968 and grew up in Darwin.
- He finished at Casuarina High School and started a career with the Northern Territory Police in 1983, rising to sergeant before leaving the force.
- While in the police, he earned a BA from Monash University (1997) and later a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New England (2008), being admitted to the bar in 2009.

Political career
- In 1997, Elferink won the rural seat of MacDonnell for the Country Liberal Party, taking the seat despite tough odds. He was re-elected after a redistribution in 2001, though the territory shifted toward Labor in that election.
- He served in the Shadow Ministry and became a prominent member of the opposition. He held several portfolios over the years, including Local Government, Indigenous Affairs, Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and later Community Development, Housing, Local Government, Sport and Recreation, Regional Development, and Indigenous Affairs.
- He narrowly lost MacDonnell in the 2005 election to Alison Anderson and later worked with the CLP as a party director.
- Elferink returned to Parliament in 2008 for Port Darwin, winning the seat from Labor. In opposition, he held shadow portfolios such as Treasurer, Public Employment, Essential Services, and led Opposition Business.
- When the CLP won government in 2012, Elferink became Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, and also Minister for Correctional Services. On 6 March (in 2013), he added the roles of Treasurer and Corporate and Information Services.
- He was known for a hands-on approach to crime and domestic violence issues, earning the nickname “Captain Justice” from some media.
- As Attorney-General, he pushed major court reforms, including changes to the court system and the construction of a new Supreme Court Building in Alice Springs, as well as creating the Children’s Court in Darwin. He also introduced “No Body No Parole” laws and implemented “paperless arrest” laws to reduce assaults in the Darwin CBD.
- He led reforms in the corrections system, helped launch prisoner rehabilitation programs, and supported mental health initiatives, including a suicide action plan and mental health workers in courts.
- In 2015, Elferink announced he would retire at the next election. He stayed on to oversee development efforts, including a plan to bring satellite launch capability to Darwin.
- In July 2016, footage aired of abuse at Don Dale Youth Corrections Centre led to a Royal Commission. Elferink was removed as Corrections Minister on 26 July 2016, though he kept other portfolios. The Royal Commission found no criminal charges as a result of its work. He publicly clashed with media coverage over the program and defended his reforms.

Later life
- After leaving politics, Elferink moved to Adelaide, South Australia. He founded the Sabre Foundation to help sexual assault victims pursue civil redress, and worked as a lawyer at Jones Elferink Barristers and Solicitors.
- He has also lectured as a visiting professor in labor economics at the Indian Institute of Management Rohtak, and he advises the South Australian Dairyfarmers’ Association while managing related brand and fund activities.
- Personal life: He is married to Dee Elferink and has two daughters, Eleanor and Gwenevere. He enjoys riding a Royal Enfield motorcycle.