Ernest Wong

The Honourable Ernest Wong MLC
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 May 2013
Preceded by	Eric Roozendaal
Personal details
Born	circa 1960 Hong Kong
Political party	Australian Labor Party
Other political affiliations	Unity Party (2003–??)
Spouse(s)	Rita Lee
Children	2
Alma mater	Macquarie University

Ernest Kwok Chung Wong is an Australian politician and Australian Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Council. Wong has been a member of the Council since 24 May 2013.

Personal and early life

Wong was born in Hong Kong and migrated to Australia in 1979 to commence study,^[1] graduating with a degree in commerce and law from Macquarie University.^[2] Wong is married with two teenage children and is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.^[1]

Prior to his appointment to the Legislative Council, Wong was an active member of the community including the Lions Club, the Westmead Medical Research Foundation, sporting clubs and aged care advocacy groups.^[3][4]

Political career

Wong has served on Burwood Council, including terms as Mayor^[2] and Deputy Mayor,^[1] elected on Labor Party tickets. He was an upper house candidate for Labor at the 2011 NSW state election, placed eighth on the party ticket; and has served as the citizenship advisor to the Premier of New South Wales and as a community relations advisor to Labor.^[2]

At the 2003 NSW state election, Wong headed a multicultural upper house ticket for the Unity Party.^[5] However, Wong was unsuccessful in gaining election.

At a special joint sitting of the New South Wales Legislative Council and the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held on 24 May 2013, Wong was appointed to fill a casual vacancy in the Council, following the resignation of former Labor Councillor Eric Roozendaal, who was suspended from the Labor Party in November 2012, sat on the independent benches in the Council, until his resignation on 9 May 2013.^[6]

References

1. Norington, Brad (16 May 2013). "Labor Right uses Roozendaal seat to reach out to Chinese". The Australian. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
2. "Annual Report" (PDF). Xiaoxiao Education Limited. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
3. Wood, Alicia (21 May 2013). "Labor fills vacant Eric Roozendaal seat with Burwood Deputy Mayor Ernest Wong". The Telegraph (Australia). Retrieved 26 May 2013.
4. "Chinese mayor picked for NSW MP vacancy". Nine News (Australia). 21 May 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
5. Morris, Linda (3 March 2003). "NSW Election May See Emergence of The "Muslim Vote"". The Sydney Morning Herald (MuslimVillage Incorporated). Retrieved 26 May 2013.
6. "Ernest Wong elected to replace Roozendaal in NSW Parliament". ABC News (Australia). 24 May 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.

External links

• "Cr. Ernest Wong, Deputy Mayor of Burwood City Council Frequently visits the Hostel and bring joy to the elderly" (photo gallery). The Indo-Chinese Elderly Hostel. Love the Elderly and Children Foundation. 2013.