| Honorific-Prefix: | His Honour the Honourable Judge |
| John Hatzistergos | |
| Office1: | Judge of the District Court of New South Wales |
| Term Start1: | 16 October 2014 |
| Office2: | Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption |
| Term Start2: | 7 August 2022 |
| Predecessor2: | Peter Hall |
| Office3: | Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council |
| Term Start3: | 27 March 1999 |
| Term End3: | 19 May 2011 |
| Predecessor3: | Jim Kaldis |
| Office4: | Minister for Justice |
| Term Start4: | 2 April 2003 |
| Term End4: | 10 August 2005 |
| Predecessor4: | Bob Debus as Minister for Corrective Services |
| Successor4: | Tony Kelly |
| Term Start5: | 2 April 2007 |
| Term End5: | 4 December 2009 |
| Predecessor5: | Tony Kelly |
| Successor5: | Phil Costa as Minister for Corrective Services Graham West as Minister for Juvenile Justice |
| Office6: | Minister for Fair Trading |
| Term Start6: | 1 February 2005 |
| Term End6: | 10 August 2005 |
| Predecessor6: | Reba Meagher |
| Successor6: | Diane Beamer |
| Office7: | Minister for Health |
| Term Start7: | 10 August 2005 |
| Term End7: | 2 April 2007 |
| Predecessor7: | Morris Iemma |
| Successor7: | Reba Meagher |
| Office8: | Attorney General |
| Term Start8: | 2 April 2007 |
| Term End8: | 28 March 2011 |
| Predecessor8: | Bob Debus |
| Successor8: | Greg Smith |
| Office9: | Minister for Industrial Relations |
| Term Start9: | 11 September 2008 |
| Term End9: | 4 December 2009 |
| Predecessor9: | John Della Bosca |
| Successor9: | John Robertson |
| Office10: | Minister for Regulatory Reform |
| Term Start10: | 8 December 2009 |
| Term End10: | 28 March 2011 |
| Predecessor10: | Joe Tripodi |
| Successor10: | Greg Pearce |
| Office11: | Minister for Citizenship |
| Term Start11: | 8 December 2009 |
| Term End11: | 28 March 2011 |
| Predecessor11: | Virginia Judge |
| Successor11: | Victor Dominello as Minister for Citizenship and Communities |
| Office12: | Vice President of the Executive Council |
| Term Start12: | 1 September 2009 |
| Term End12: | 28 March 2011 |
| Predecessor12: | Tony Kelly |
| Successor12: | Michael Gallacher |
| Birth Date: | 1960 8, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Redfern, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Judge |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Party: | Labor Party |
| Spouse: | Maria |
| Children: | 3 |
John Hatzistergos (born 20 August 1960) is an Australian jurist and former politician who has served as a judge of the District Court of New South Wales since 16 October 2014 and Chief Commissioner of the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) since 7 August 2022.[1] He was previously a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council representing the Labor Party between 1999 and 2011, and a minister in various Labor governments.
Born in Redfern, Sydney, the son of two Greek immigrants, Hatzistergos was educated at Bourke Street Primary School in Surry Hills and Cleveland Street Boys' High School.[2]
Hatzistergos studied economics and law at the University of Sydney, where he was later appointed to the Senate of the University.[2]
Hatzistergos was a solicitor in private practice between 1983 and 1987. He spent the next two years as a Senior Legal Officer with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and a barrister in private practice since 1989.
Hatzistergos joined the East Redfern branch of the ALP in 1976, was secretary of the Campsie branch from 1983 to 1990 and later the Belmore branch from 1993 to 2000. First elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1999 while serving as Deputy Mayor of Canterbury City Council.[3] Hatzistergos served as the NSW Minister for Health, between 2005 and 2007 and again briefly for 14 days in 2009,[4] Minister for Fair Trading (2005) and Minister for Justice, between 2003 and 2005 and again between 2007 and 2009. Hatzistergos served as Attorney General[5] from 2007 until 2011, and Minister for Industrial Relations between 2008 and 2009. He was Minister for Citizenship, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Vice President of the Executive Council and Government Leader in the Legislative Council.[4]
He implemented major reforms to freedom of information and privacy through new legislation and the establishment of the Information and Privacy Commission. Other achievements include the establishment of the Australian International Disputes Centre in Sydney and Uniform Domestic Arbitration Laws, Intensive Correction Orders and Forum Sentencing. He also implemented major reforms to the NSW Children's Court following the Wood Special Commission of Inquiry.[6]
During his tenure, Hatzistergos was a nationally recognised opponent of a Bill of Rights.[7] In late 2010 it was reported that he was being considered a possible candidate for appointment to the Supreme Court of New South Wales,[8] and a potential successor to Chief Justice Reg Blanch of the District Court of New South Wales.[9]
On 31 March 2011, Hatzistergos announced that he intended to retire from the Legislative Council despite having four years of his term to run.[10] His announcement followed that of Eddie Obeid with Walt Secord and Adam Searle nominated by Labor to fill the casual vacancies.[11] [12]
In late 2011 Hatzistergos became an adjunct professor at the University of Technology Sydney, teaching constitutional law.[13] In July 2014 Hatzistergos was asked by the NSW Government to assist in the review the NSW Bail laws in response to controversy over a number of decisions made by magistrates. Hatzistergos recommended a number of changes to recalibrate the manner in which NSW courts would assess the risk posed by people charged with serious offenses. His recommendations were accepted by the NSW Government.[14] On 10 October 2014 NSW Attorney General Brad Hazzard announced Hatzistergos's appointment as a judge of the District Court of New South Wales.[6] He was appointed Chief Commissioner of the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in 7 August 2022.[15]