<!-- Removed image of Democrats Senate members, 1987–1990 --lacking orig creator permission-->
John Richard Coulter (3 December 1930 – 6 September 2024) was an Australian medical researcher and politician. He was the fourth elected parliamentary Senate leader of the Australian Democrats, serving from 2 October 1991 to 29 April 1993.
In his valedictory speech, he took up the case that economic growth is not sustainable and that 'economic rationalism' (neo-classical economics) is an ideology blind to empirical evidence.
His understanding of conservation and environment principles was exceptional for the time. One of Coulter's controversial concerns was the social and economic impact of population growth.
Coulter was born in Perth, Western Australia. He gained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree at the University of Adelaide. He became a medical practitioner and researcher, and was also a university lecturer.
He was a member of Campbelltown Council in Adelaide from 1973 to 1974. In 1980 he joined the Democrats.