Do you know who the 1st Aboriginal cabinet Minster was in Australia
West Australian
Mr Ernie Bridge

Must Watch- SBS
THE KIMBERLY MAN (link )
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/1596817987783
(Other achievement continued
in thread )

Ernest Francis Bridge, was born 15 December 1936, in Halls Creek, Western Australia.
His mother, an Aboriginal women and his father, a white man - could not afford to send their sons to school, so Ernie spent his early years working with his father as a stockman

In 1960 he married Mavis, and had 4 children - two sons and two daughters.
Ernie & Mavis remained devoted to each other until her death in 2009.
(Note: Ernies son, Kim Bridge - is a colleague & friend of mine, and is one of the finest ppl I know- like father like son)

When Ernies beloved father passed away, his seat on the local council in Halls Creek became vacant - wanting to carry on in his father’s footsteps, he ran for a seat and won - serving from 1962-1979, also becoming the youngest Mayor in Australia.

After contesting 1976 WA state election for Labor, Ernie lost to Liberal incumbent, Alan Ridge. He tried again in 1980 & alsolost howeverr, during an investigation into alleged voter interference in the Kimberley region - the election result was void & voters sent back to polls.

The investigation found Aboriginal voters were intentionally turned away from polling booths, in one case - by local police officer who told them, come back Monday.
In Turkey Creek day before election, a local man delivered a drum of Port, hoping ppl would be too drunk to vote

Despite these attempts to block him, 1980 Ernie Bridge won the Kimberley seat for Labor and became the first Aboriginal parliamentarian in Western Australia.
6 years later, he was was promoted to Cabinet Minister, becoming the 1st Aboriginal Cabinet Minister in any Aus Gov.

During his career he held various portfolios which incl, being Minister for;
- Water Resources
- Aboriginal Affairs
- Agriculture
- Small Business, and
- Minister for the North West, which included the states mining towns in the Pilbara which Ernie visited often.

Ernie served in parliament 21 years, 16 yrs with Labor Party and 5 yrs as Labor Independent.
He still today is the longest serving Indigenous politician in Australia.
He was succeeded by another Kimberley Aboriginal local - Carol Martin who went on to serve several terms in gov.

In 2012, Ernie was diagnosed with the incurable asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma - which he claimed was caused by his exposure to blue asbestos during his many visits to north west mining towns - specifically Lang Hancock/CSR established town of Wittenoom ....

In 2013, Ernie commenced legal action against several parties who he, like many others- believed responsible for his illness. These included WA Gov, Shire of Ashburton, CSR, Hancock Prospecting & Wright Prospecting.

He sadly passed away soon after this, on 31 March 2013. Now able to reunite with his life time love, Mavis, he was laid to rest next to her - side by side again.

On 13 June 1993, Ernie received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) "in recognition of service to the WA Parliament and to Aboriginal Affairs.”
On 1 January 2001, he was awarded the Centenary Medal for "service to the parliament and Aboriginal affairs".

On 11 June 2012, he was named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "service to the Indigenous community, particularly through support for health management programs, and to the Parliament of Western Australia.

Mr Bridge’s passion for the Kimberley & ppl of WA & his dedication to serving to them, still today, stands out as an example integrity & leadership at its finest in public life. His desire to see advancement, participation & recognition for Aboriginal ppl had significant impact.

A truely great man - Utmost respect and thanks Mr Bridge.
Rip Sir.

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Reference and further reading:
https://www.9news.com.au/national/sick-former-mp-sues-wa-govt-rinehart/47017290-5403-4dc5-9cbc-0ea04d45c969

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Bridge

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-01/former-wa-mp-ernie-bridge-dies/4603432

https://www.perthnow.com.au/community-news/wanneroo-times/revealing-look-at-life-of-ernie-bridge-c-890487

https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/library/MPHistoricalData.nsf/(Lookup)/EF2A415FB2DCBE1B482577E50028A535?OpenDocument

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