Ernest Riordan

Ernest Joseph "Dick" Riordan (21 September 1901 – 9 December 1954) was a Miner, Wharf labourer, and member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Early years Riordan was born at Mareeba, Queensland, to parents William Riordan and his wife Mary (née Walsh) and was educated at state schools in both Chillagoe and Cairns. In March 1936, the member for the state seat of Bowen, Charles Collins, died and a by-election was held on the 20 June of that year. Riordan was nominated as the Labor Party candidate and went on to win the seat over John Smith of the Country Party.

After losing his seat, Riordan found work as a field officer for the State Employment Council and in 1947 he was the private secretary to his nephew, Bill Riordan, who was the Minister for the Navy in the Second Chifley Ministry.

At the 1950 state election, Riordan stood for the reincarnated seat of Flinders, defeating the Country Party candidate, Mr G. H. Stuart by 297 votes. He held the seat unopposed in 1953, He was accorded a state funeral which was held on 11 December 1954 at St. Stephen's Cathedral and proceeded to the Lutwyche Cemetery.