Enver Erdogan
Honorific suffixMLC
OfficeMinister for the Environment
PremierJacinta Allan
Term start16 April 2026
PredecessorSteve Dimopoulos
Office 1Minister for Outdoor Recreation
Premier 1Jacinta Allan
Term start 116 April 2026
Predecessor 1Steve Dimopoulos
Office 3Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation
Premier 3Jacinta Allan
Term start 319 December 2024
Predecessor 3Melissa Horne
Office 4Minister for Corrections
Premier 4Daniel Andrews
Jacinta Allan
Term start 45 December 2022
Term end 415 April 2026
Predecessor 4Sonya Kilkenny
Successor 4Paul Hamer
Office 5Minister for Youth Justice
Premier 5Daniel Andrews
Jacinta Allan
Term start 55 December 2022
Term end 515 April 2026
Predecessor 5Sonya Kilkenny
Successor 5Paul Hamer
Office 6Minister for Victim Support
Premier 6Daniel Andrews
Jacinta Allan
Term start 65 December 2022
Term end 619 December 2024
Predecessor 6Sonya Kilkenny
Successor 6Anthony Carbines (as Minister for Victims)
Office 7Member of the Victorian Legislative Council
Term start 715 August 2019
Predecessor 7Philip Dalidakis
Constituency 7Northern Metropolitan Region (2022–present)
Southern Metropolitan Region (2019–2022)
Office 8Councillor of the City of Moreland
Term start 82008
Term end 82012
1blankname 8Ward
1namedata 8North-West
PartyLabor
Alma materLa Trobe University
Honorific prefixThe Honourable

Enver Erdogan is an Australian politician and lawyer who has served as a Minister in the Victorian Government since 2022.[1] A member of the Australian Labor Party, he represents the Northern Metropolitan Region in the Victorian Legislative Council.[2] Erdogan currently serves as Minister for Environment, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation and Minister for Outdoor Recreation.

Early life and education

Erdogan studied at La Trobe University, obtaining a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws. He later completed a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Leo Cussen Centre for Law and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2011. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Before his parliamentary career, Erdogan worked as an Associate at the law firm Maurice Blackburn, specialising in representing injured workers. He was elected to the City of Moreland (now the City of Merri-bek) in 2008 and served until 2012. He also sat on the Board of the Municipal Association of Victoria, the peak body representing local councils in the state.

Political career

Entry to Parliament

Erdogan entered the Parliament of Victoria in August 2019 when he was appointed to the Legislative Council to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Philip Dalidakis.[3] He represented the Southern Metropolitan Region until the 2022 Victorian state election when he was elected to represent the Northern Metropolitan Region.

Parliamentary roles

From February 2020 to August 2022, Erdogan chaired the Legislative Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee.[4] As Committee Chair, he presided over inquiries into Expanding Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone, Increase in Victoria’s Road Toll, Use of School Buses in Rural and Regional Victoria, the Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism and events sectors, Victoria’s Multi Purpose Taxi Program, and the Closure of the Hazelwood and Yallourn Power Stations.

In June 2022, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General, serving until December that year.[2]

Ministerial career

Erdogan was sworn in as a minister in the Third Andrews Ministry on 5 December 2022, taking on the portfolios of Corrections, Youth Justice, and Victim Support.[5] He retained these portfolios when Jacinta Allan became Premier in September 2023, and was appointed to his current portfolios after a reshuffle in December 2024.[6]

In the Corrections portfolio, Erdogan has overseen the expansion of prison capacity in response to changes in Victoria's bail laws, including the opening of the Western Plains Correctional Centre,[7] and investment into education and employment programs to reduce recidivism.[8] As Minister for Youth Justice, he has been responsible for the implementation of the Youth Justice Act 2024[9] and reforms aimed at diversion and rehabilitation. As Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, he has managed reforms to liquor licensing, gambling regulation,[10] and the establishment of a tobacco licensing scheme intended to combat illicit sales and organised crime.[11]

Political views

Erdogan has identified access to education, affordable and safe transport, and fair wages as key priorities. His broader policy interests include economic development, industrial relations, manufacturing, and law reforms.[12]

Personal life

Erdogan is married and has two daughters. He is passionate about both Australian rules football and soccer, and is a lifelong supporter of the Collingwood Football Club. His personal interests include history and international affairs, and he is the first Member of Parliament of Kurdish descent in Australia.[12]

References

  1. ^ "New Cabinet To Keep Doing What Matters". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  2. ^ "Enver Erdogan - Parliament of Victoria". www.parliament.vic.gov.au. Archived 19 June 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  3. ^ Baxendale, Rachel. "Neil Pharaoh emerges as challenger to Enver Erdogan for Labor seat". The Australian. News Corp. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  4. ^ Parliament of Victoria, Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee (2020). Inquiry into expanding Melbourne's Free Tram Zone. Victorian Government Printer. pp. ii. ISBN 978-1-922425-11-9.
  5. ^ Ilanbey, Rachel Eddie, Sumeyya (2022-12-02). "Two new faces join Andrews' cabinet after ministers take a step to the Left". The Age. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  6. ^ "Jaclyn Symes sworn in as Victorian treasurer after ministry reshuffle". ABC News. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  7. ^ "Western Plains Correctional Centre Ready For Prisoners". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  8. ^ "Building A Better Future After Prison". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  9. ^ "Stronger Youth Offender Laws Pass Parliament". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  10. ^ "New Trial To Help Prevent Gambling Harm". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  11. ^ "Tough Tobacco Licensing Scheme To Start Next Month". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  12. ^ "Home | Parliament of Victoria". hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au. Archived 19 April 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-09-22.