John Chesterman is the Queensland Public Advocate.
A lawyer and historian by training, John has researched and advocated for the rights of marginalised peoples over many decades. His books include Poverty law and social change: The story of the Fitzroy Legal Service (MUP) and Civil rights: How Indigenous Australians won formal equality (UQP).
John joined the Victorian Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) as a volunteer Community Visitor. He then went on to perform a variety of roles at OPA (Vic), during which time he was awarded a Churchill Fellowship for his work on adult safeguarding. He was appointed Victorian Deputy Public Advocate in 2018.
He has served as Queensland Public Advocate since 2021.