Eric Bedford

Eric Lance Bedford (18 February 1928 – 8 July 2006) was an Australian politician, affiliated with the Labor Party and elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

For the British architect, see Eric Bedford (architect).

The Honourable Eric Bedford
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Fairfield
In office 24 February 1968 – 28 August 1981
Preceded by	Jack Ferguson
Succeeded by	Janice Crosio
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Cabramatta
In office 19 September 1981 – 31 December 1985
Preceded by	District created
Succeeded by	John Newman
Personal details
Born	Eric Lance Bedford (1928-02-19)19 February 1928 Concord, New South Wales, Australia
Died	8 July 2006(2006-07-08) (aged 78) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Labor Party

Bedford was born at Concord, NSW, and attended Fort Street Boys High School before studying at Sydney Teachers College and embarking on a teaching career in country areas. He took an Arts degree through external study and returned to teach at Liverpool Boys High School and later Bankstown Girls High School.

While at Liverpool Boys High, Bedford met Gough Whitlam and enquired about rejoining the Labor Party, of which he had been a member in his youth. He later served as Gough Whitlam's campaign director at the 1966 election, and Whitlam persuaded Eric to stand for state parliament in the seat of Fairfield, which was vacant as a result of a redistribution.

Bedford won the seat and served as the Member for Fairfield between 1968 and 1981 and then represented the seat of Cabramatta. He served as the Minister for Education in the Wran Government for three years after 1976. He then served as Minister for Planning and the Environment, Minister for Industry and Minister for Small Business until the end of his political career in 1985.[1]

Eric Bedford received the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and was invested with the Red Danice Hrvatske (Order of the Croatian Daystar) for services to education.

Eric Bedford died on 8 July 2006.[1]

References

1. "The Hon. Eric Lance Bedford (1928-2006)". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 3 May 2019.

• Hansard, House of Representatives, 16 August 2006

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Jack Ferguson	Member for Fairfield 1968–1981	Succeeded by Janice Crosio
New district	Member for Cabramatta 1981–1985	Succeeded by John Newman
Political offices
Preceded by Neil Pickard	Minister for Education 1976–1980	Succeeded by Paul Landa
Preceded by Paul Landa	Minister for Planning and Environment 1980–1984	Succeeded by Terry Sheahan
Preceded by Ron Mulock	Minister for Education 1984	Succeeded by Rodney Cavalier