Vietnamese Veterans Association

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:30): Today it is a privilege to speak about the Vietnamese Veterans Association of South Australia. It was a great honour for me to attend their commemorative ceremony for the 40^th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, in conjunction with a remembrance and tribute ceremony in honour of our former prime minister, Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser, on 2 May.

I would like to place on the record my sincere thanks to Dr Anh Tuan Ngo, the President of the Vietnamese Veterans Association, the committee and members for inviting me to be a guest speaker and showing their gratitude by holding a moving memorial service at the Vietnam War Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground. The event was well attended by many leaders and members of the Vietnamese community. The Australian Vietnam Veterans community was there to show their support, together with Mr Bill Denny, Director of Veterans SA, and Mr Mark Butler, federal member for Port Adelaide.

The fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam War and the start of a transition period to form the reunification of Vietnam. Vietnam endured significant loss during the war. It was a terrible time of violence and destruction. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, Australia elected Malcolm Fraser as the new prime minister. As Australia's 22^nd prime minister, between 1975 to 1983 he restored the Australian economy by being a responsible government while pushing for social change. As Australians, we ought to be very proud that Australia was one of those countries who offered its compassion and opened its doors to Vietnamese refugees during these troubled times.

The Liberal Fraser government was responsible for Australia's first comprehensive refugee policy. Between 1975 and 1982, Australia welcomed about 200,000 immigrants from Asian countries, including nearly 56,000 from Vietnam alone. Furthermore, more than 2,000 Vietnamese people who arrived by boat without documentation were granted entry under policies initiated by the Liberal Fraser government.

At the remembrance service I was touched by the public display of affection and deep condolences from the Vietnamese community towards Mr Fraser. The President of the Vietnamese Veterans Association, Dr Anh Tuan Ngo, said:

The Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser allowed refugees to build a new life in our second homeland. The Fraser's government provided housing, organised English language classes and finding jobs for us. He is respected as the FATHER of the Vietnamese Refugees Community.

Professor My-Van Tran AM made a moving address that day as well. She mentioned that, when Mr Fraser became the prime minister in 1975, she was studying in Canberra under the Colombo Plan. At that time her homeland, South Vietnam, had fallen into communist hands. In 1976, she was one of the first lucky Vietnamese to be granted Australian citizenship. She said:

I have always been grateful to Australia and the government of the time for giving me a home and protection in time of great need.

Professor Tran also said:

Mr Malcolm Fraser was not only a 'great Australian' but also a leader with great courage and compassion. He was a 'true gentleman'—A man of good heart and empathy.

She recalled that on many occasions when she and other Vietnamese leaders met him and thanked him in person Mr Fraser would respond with a smile and say, 'No, no, no, I must thank you. You showed that my decision was right.' At the remembrance ceremony of the fall of Saigon, we reflected on the past 40 years and paid respect to the brave soldiers, men and women who fought for freedom and made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. We hold their memories in honour and respect.

On behalf of the Liberal Party, I express my sincere thanks to the Vietnamese Veterans Association for sharing their personal stories and gratitude towards Fraser's policy at the special commemoration service. It is my great honour to acknowledge the work of the association in parliament today, and recognise the significant contribution made by the Vietnamese community to Australia's economic, social and cultural framework. We do not have to look very far to recognise the contributions made by the Vietnamese community: His Excellency the Governor of South Australia the Hon. Hieu Van Le and the Hon. Tung Ngo in this chamber are both serving in public office.

Mr Fraser was able to change Australia's multicultural landscape to encourage greater diversity, which has had a lasting effect on Australians to this very day. As migrants from an Asian background who benefited from his multicultural policy, my family and I join with so many to say, 'Thank you, Mr Fraser.'