Wednesday, 17 June 2026

 Chris COUZENS (Geelong) (10:27): I acknowledge the passing of Graham Ernst on 26 April 2026 and send my condolences to Graham’s family, who are in the gallery today. Graham was a former member for Geelong East, winning the seat in the 1979 state election and moving to the seat of Bellarine in 1985 after his former seat was abolished. He was a Labor Party member of the Parliament from 1979 to 1992.

Graham was a grassroots MP who advocated for working people. He was a trade unionist and a politician who was committed to advancing the lives of working people. He knew how important good government policy was. Graham attended state schools in Cranbrook and Portland before becoming a fitter and turner at the Portland superphosphate works, where he was elected as shop steward for the Amalgamated Metal Workers’ Union. He also worked as the manager of a bakery and operated an engineering workshop in Portland.

He actively raised local issues such as better water supply, concerns about unemployment and the need to create job opportunities, the need for open space in built-up housing developments, supporting youth, the need for improved sports and recreation facilities, concerns about industrial accidents, the lack of support for workers and their families, and a great deal more. I have many fond memories of Graham during his time as a member of Parliament, alongside former Labor MPs such as Neil Trezise, Hayden Shell and David Henshaw. Vale, Graham Ernst.