Longtime Lara MP John Eren to retire at next election

Longtime Lara Labor MP John Eren will retire from politics at the 2022 election. Following a parliamentary career spanning almost 20 years, that’s included four years overseeing Victorian sport, major events, tourism and veterans, Chad Van Estrop examines his legacy.

JOHN Eren’s grandfather fought Australian troops on the Gallipoli peninsula a century ago and for the past 20 years it’s been Mr Eren who has taken up the fight for the people of Geelong and beyond.

As the Turkish-born migrant calls time on his parliamentary career, his story is the embodiment of modern Australia.

Arriving in Australia as a six-year-old in 1970 with his family, he learnt English while living in North Melbourne high-rise public housing.

The son of a fitter and turner, Mr Eren rose from a shop steward at Ford motor company, aged 22, to an upper house MP in 2002.

Since 2006 he’s held the seat of Lara, and between 2014 and 2018 was the minister for tourism, major events, sports and veterans.

Mr Eren’s wife of more than 30 years, Geraldine, said her husband’s working class roots meant he “knew what it was like to struggle” which propelled his want to affect change in the community.

Retiring MP John Eren

“He’s always been an ear to people, to listen to and to be there for them,” Mrs Eren said.

Mr Eren was a driving force behind starting Northern Futures, an organisation focused on assisting the region’s most disadvantaged people to be job ready, and getting them into employment.

“(These people’s) lives were totally off track, into alcohol and drugs. Unemployed, because it was generational. Now that they have set themselves up with an apprenticeship their lives have totally changed, they are happy. So many lives have been changed,” Mr Eren said.

“Education is the key to change. If people don’t have an opportunity to learn they can’t contribute to society and achieve their potential.”

This is why Mr Eren has worked hard to secure funding and transform schools like Northern Bay, where he’s helped win more than $60m of state funding for its campuses.

Of Mr Eren, Melbourne Victory Football Club chairman Anthony Di Pietro​ said: “His dedication to those at the margin helped so many people from so many backgrounds,

not only in the Geelong region but throughout Victoria.”

Mr Eren said the plight of his daughter, who had to get changed and shower at home after games of soccer and football, was motivation to improve sports facilities for women and girls.

“I thought ‘how many other daughters are experiencing this.’ More than 50 per cent of the population are women and girls so to exclude them is not good for sporting clubs or health and wellbeing.”

John Eren, Christine Couzens and Darren Cheeseman celebrate the Labor win in 2018. Picture: Alan Barber

As former Sport Minister, Mr Eren regards one of his most lasting achievements as the role he played in securing funding for women’s sport, including more than $30m for female friendly facilities.

He was also pivotal in bringing the Ultimate Fighting Championship to Melbourne and changing rules around combat sports to protect participants.

Federal Deputy Labor Leader Richard Marles said Mr Eren, his “closest friend”, was a sounding board for him.

“He is loyal. He is warm. He is thoroughly decent. He’s funny and has an infectious enthusiasm for life. He understands what people are thinking,” Mr Marles said.

“I’m not sure I’ve met a person that is more of a people person than John Eren.

“He is a remarkable human being. I couldn’t want for a better friend.

“He leaves an indelible and positive legacy around achievement around Geelong’s north.”

As one-time Veterans Minister Mr Eren is proud of healing divisions among the returned service community, particularly those who served in Vietnam, and representing Victorians at Gallipoli during the 100-year commemorations.

Premier, Daniel Andrews and John Eren make a motorsport announcement at Avalon. Picture: Alison Wynd

He is also proud he’s been able to win funding for Barwon Health North and a 30-bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility at Corio, and millions for homelessness in Geelong and $8.5m secured for the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub at Norlane.

“There’s a reason why my electorate is comfortable in the (electoral) margin, it’s because I work hard and achieve a lot for the community and people see it.”

Senior MPs recall Mr Eren calling them into a room at parliament for long discussions to explain why urgent funding was needed in the 3214 postcode.

Premier Daniel Andrews said Mr Eren was pivotal in securing funding for women’s sport, growing the tourist economy and advocating for the Geelong region.

“The best people in public life are those who live their values. John has been an unrelenting advocate for good, secure jobs in Geelong, as well as stable skills and training pathways for the local workforce of the future,” Mr Andrews said.

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John Eren with Cyclists Koen de Kort from World Tour team Trek, and female cyclist Macey Stewart. Picture: Jason Edwards

John can be rightly proud of his part in our government’s achievements.

“I’m grateful for his friendship and support, just as I’m grateful for his contribution to the parliament, the government and his local community.”

Mr Eren served in the Bracks, Brumby and Andrews’ governments but fronting up for public life hasn’t been without personal challenges.

Following a heart attack in 2016 and a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2019, Mr Eren has called time on his parliamentary career as health challenges insidiously creep into everyday aspects of life.

While proud of the change he’s helped lead in the north, Mr Eren knows there’s more to do.

“I don’t call it a hand out. I call it a hand up. Everybody at some point in time will need a hand up.

“(Significant change) won’t happen overnight but I think we are changing the tide.”

Originally published as Longtime Lara MP John Eren to retire at next election