James Chapman (Australian politician)

James Chapman (born 18 September 1946) is an Australian politician. He was a Labor Party member of the Australian Senate for South Australia from 1987 to 2008.

Chapman was educated at St. Peter's College, Adelaide, and the University of Adelaide, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree. Before entering politics, he worked as a barrister and solicitor.

In the Senate, Chapman served on a number of committees, including the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee. He was also a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services.

Chapman retired from the Senate at the 2007 federal election. Since retiring from politics, he has been involved in a number of community organizations. He is a board member of the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust and a patron of the South Australian Youth Arts Board.