Hugh McKernan (c. 1858 – 13 March 1929) was an Australian businessman, newspaper proprietor, and politician who was a member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia from 1894 to 1896. McKernan was born in Ireland, and at a young age became a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary. His job was to infiltrate nationalist gatherings and report on any speeches given. McKernan left Ireland for Australia in 1882, initially living in New South Wales. He came to Western Australia in 1889, attracted by the economic prospects of the Yilgarn gold rush, and set up in Perth as an auctioneer and agent for interstate and overseas companies. He eventually became the proprietor of the Geraldton Express, a newspaper in the Mid West. McKernan was elected to parliament at the 1894 Legislative Council e