Address to the House of Representatives, Statements by Members

Monday 2 March 2026

Ellnor Grassby was a powerhouse of politics and community in the ACT. Elected to the first ACT Legislative Assembly and serving until 1995, she was part of Rosemary Follett's first government as the Minister for Housing and Urban Services. As well as serving in a plethora of public roles, both before and after political life, including her service on the Chief Minister's Ministerial Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs, the ACT Legal Aid Review Committee, the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum, Friends of Old Parliament House Rose Gardens, Women in Racing, Friends of Ireland and many, many more.

Ellnor's Catholic faith was central to her life and shaped the values that guided her public work: social justice, fairness and deep compassion for others. Eleanor was in the thick of countless Labor campaigns, both local and federal. I remember the heady hum of activity around her office and her branch, the Belconnen branch. Ellnor provided a start to many in the Labor movement, including current ACT chief minister Andrew Barr. Along with her husband, she played a significant role in opening up a multicultural Australia and Canberra, where diversity was embraced and celebrated. Her loss is felt deeply by all those close to her and across the party. Vale, Ellnor Grassby.