Ernie Bridge

Ernie Bridge (1936-2013) was an Australian country music performer from Western Australia. He was also the first Aboriginal Australian cabinet minister in any Australian government, holding posts as Minister for Water Resources, North-West and Aboriginal Affairs, and Agriculture and Small Business, in successive West Australian governments from 1986 to 1993. He was a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1980 to 2001, representing the electorate of Kimberley, first as a Labor Party representative (1980–1996) and then as a Labor Independent MP (1996–2001). Bridge was also a prominent figure in promoting the interests of Aboriginal people.