Andrew Bartlett

Andrew John Julian Bartlett (born 4 August 1964) is an Australian politician. He was formerly an Australian Democrats member of the Australian Senate from 1997 to 2008, representing the state of Queensland. He was the leader of the Democrats from 2002 to 2004, and deputy leader from 2004 to 2008. Bartlett was also the convenor of the Queensland Greens.

Early life and background

Andrew Bartlett was born in Brisbane, where he has lived all his life. He is of Irish, Swiss, English and Greek origins, including his great-great-grandfather, who is claimed to be the first Greek settler in Australia, arriving in Adelaide in 1840. He was educated at the University of Queensland in the 1980s, where he graduated in arts and social work. Before entering politics, Bartlett was a social worker with the Department of Social Security, and worked with alternative radio station, 4ZZZFM, in roles including announcer and finance coordinator. He played in a number of local rock bands around this time, as a drummer and keyboard player. The bands were I Am Vertical, The Cutters and Too Green For Summer (who years later had a song appear on the Rock Against Howard CD).