A state funeral was held today for Gerry Hand, a former minister in the Hawke and Keating governments.
The former ALP member Melbourne (1983-93), Hand died on November 15, 2023, aged 81.
Hand’s colleagues in the Left faction were in attendance. They included Brendan O’Connor, the Minister for Skills and Training. Former colleagues Warren Snowdon and Daryl Melham delivered readings.
The Victorian government was represented by Nick Staikos, parliamentary secretary to Premier Jacinta Allan.
Hand was Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs in the third Hawke Ministry (1987-90), and Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs in the fourth Hawke Ministry and the first Keating Ministry (1990-93).
Hand came to prominence in 1980 when he was the Left’s candidate for Wills, in opposition to Bob Hawke. Hawke won that contest and Hand entered the House of Representatives in the neighbouring Melbourne electorate in 1983.
The funeral was held at St. Ignatius’ Catholic Church in Richmond.
