News of the death of Panagiotis Katsambanis has shocked Australian political circles and, in particular, the Greek community.
The former Greek Australian MP, who died in Melbourne, had a distinctive political career. He was elected to the Victorian Parliament in 1996 and served until 2002, before returning to politics in 2013, this time in Western Australia.
He initially served in the state’s Legislative Council and was later elected to the seat of Hillarys, remaining in the WA Parliament until 2021.
During his political career, he held significant opposition portfolios, including police, justice, road safety and industrial relations.
But for Hellenism in Australia, Katsambanis was more than simply a politician of Greek heritage.
He was a strong and recognisable voice for the community.
In Western Australia, he served as vice-president of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia and maintained an active presence at events and initiatives across the Greek community. His contribution to preserving historical memory was particularly significant, especially on matters relating to the Battle of Crete and the relationship between Greece and Australia.
His involvement, however, extended well beyond the borders of the state.
From 2017 to 2021, he served as president of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA), an international network of politicians of Greek heritage from around the world.
From that position, he sought to strengthen the voice of the Greek diaspora and its ties with Greece and Cyprus. For Katsambanis, his Greek heritage was not merely a family connection. It was a responsibility and a call to active participation.
From a migrant family
His own story was inextricably linked to the story of Greek migration to Australia.
His father, Argyris Katsambanis, arrived in Melbourne from Greece in 1960. Like thousands of Greeks of the postwar generation, he started from nothing and built his family and his life in Australia.
Panagiotis represented the next generation.
The child of Greek migrants who went from Melbourne to the parliamentary benches, representing not only his constituents but, in his own way, an entire generation of Greek Australians.
And he never forgot his roots.
‘The fiercest fighter’
His political opponents may have disagreed with him, but even today those from his side of politics speak of a man defined by passion, determination and absolute commitment to his beliefs.
Western Australian Liberal Party director Simon Morgan described him as one of the party’s “fiercest and finest” fighters.
Western Australian Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas highlighted his extensive contribution to public life and, in particular, to the Greek Australian community.
Behind the politician, however, was the husband, the father and the friend.
His wife, Karalee Katsambanis, announced his death with deep emotion, describing him as her “soulmate” and the “love of my life”, while thanking the heart transplant team at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne for caring for him.
The family is expected to announce funeral details in the coming days, with the service to be held in Melbourne.
Where it all began.
Where he was born and raised.
Where he now returns for his final journey.
Panagiotis Katsambanis died at just 60 years of age. He leaves behind, however, a life that connected two states, two generations and two homelands.
The Melbourne of his parents.
The Perth of his political career.
And the Greece he always carried within him.