The man who is fond of books is usually a man of lofty thought, and of elevated opinions.

In the second Hawke Ministry (1984–1987) he was Minister for Trade. He was succeeded in Fremantle by former West Australian Premier Dr Carmen Lawrence. The development was believed to be worth around $100 million.

He is notable for his reforms of tertiary education as Minister for Employment Education and Training his period as Treasurer when he attempted to increase taxes in order to balance the budget and his abrupt exit from politics. John Sydney "Joe" Dawkins AO (born 2 March 1947) Australian politician was Treasurer in the Keating Labor government from December 1991 to December 1993.