John Sydney Dawkins was elected to the House of Representatives for Tangney, Western Australia in 1974. He was defeated in 1975.  He was re-elected for Fremantle, Western Australia in 1977, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1990 and 1993.

On election of the Hawke Government in March 1983, John Dawkins was appointed Minister for Finance.  Following the Government's re-election in October 1984, Dawkins became the Minister for Trade.  He retained this position until July 1987.  He was Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Public Service Matters from July 1983 to December 1984 and the Minister assisting the Prime Minister for Youth Affairs from December 1984 to July 1987.  After the elections of July
1987, Mr Dawkins was appointed Minister for Employment, Education and Training.  He was Treasurer from December 1991 to December 1993. 

Dawkins resigned from the Parliament on 4 February 1994.