Australia Malaysia Business Council SA

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. J.S. Lee:

That this council—

1. Congratulates the Australia Malaysia Business Council SA (AMBCSA) for reaching the special milestone of its 30^th anniversary in 2024;

2. Recognises that the AMBCSA is a pioneering business chamber that was established by the Malaysian Australian community with the objectives of fostering, supporting and promoting business, investment and cultural opportunities between Australia and Malaysia;

3. Acknowledges the important work of founding members, current and past presidents, committee members and volunteers of AMBCSA for their hard work, dedication and contributions in fostering bilateral relationships between the Malaysian and South Australian business communities;

4. Commends AMBCSA for working collaboratively with businesses and educational institutions to deliver its flagship annual event 'Merdeka Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation', which serves two main purposes: to celebrate Merdeka—Independence Day of Malaysia and to present Outstanding Students Awards to recognise educational achievements and community contributions by Malaysian students who are studying at South Australian universities and TAFE;

5. Recognises two former governors of South Australia—former AMBCSA patron, Sir Eric James Neal AC, and its current patron, Hon. Hieu Van Le AC—for their important contribution and support to AMBCSA; and

6. Reflects on the many achievements of AMBCSA over the three decades and recognises the impact of AMBCSA in the advancement of trade, business and cultural connections between South Australia and Malaysia.

(Continued from 5 March.)

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (17:22): I rise briefly as the lead speaker on behalf of the opposition in support of the Hon. Jing Lee's motion to congratulate the Australia Malaysia Business Council of South Australia (AMBCSA) for reaching a special milestone of 30 years in 2024.

The Australia Malaysia Business Council of South Australia is a business chamber founded by the Malaysian Australian community with the aim of nurturing, backing and advancing business ventures and cultural exchanges. I recognise the endeavours of the founding members as well as the unwavering commitment of the former and current presidents, committee members and volunteers. Their efforts and contributions have been instrumental in fostering mutually beneficial ties between the Malaysian and South Australian business sectors.

It is truly commendable how the Australia Malaysia Business Council of South Australia has collaborated with various businesses and educational institutions in orchestrating its annual event, the Merdeka Gala Dinner and awards presentation. This occasion not only serves as a celebration of Malaysia's independence day but also provides a pivotal role in honouring Malaysian students in South Australian universities and TAFE.

Furthermore, it is deserved to mention and express gratitude to the distinguished patrons who have played pivotal roles in supporting the Australia Malaysia Business Council of South Australia, namely, the former patron, Sir Eric James Neal AC, and the current patron, the Hon. Hieu Van Le AC, both former governors of South Australia.

Over the span of three decades, by fostering trade networks, driving business initiatives and nurturing cultural connections between South Australia and Malaysia, the Australia Malaysia Business Council of South Australia has forged an impressive legacy on the two countries it serves. Congratulations again to the Australia Malaysia Business Council of South Australia in celebrating 30 years.

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (17:25): The South Australian government congratulates the Australia Malaysia Business Council of South Australia on its 30^th anniversary. We take great pride in South Australia's relationship with Malaysia.

Just over a year ago we celebrated 50 years of our sister city relationship with Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia and the City of Adelaide, and I would like to acknowledge the former Premier Don Dunstan, who is a leading voice for this relationship. Throughout the last 50 years there have been significant steps in cultivating this relationship with Malaysia. At the head of this has been the establishment of the Australia Malaysia Business Council, ensuring that the connections between both South Australia and Malaysia is a bridge between not just business to business relations but, more importantly, people to people.

The Australia Malaysia Business Council Incorporated has been an important part and an influential player in forging those links and expanding those networks over many years, and it has done so with an incredible leadership team that continues to deliver for members year in and year out. It is no accident that South Australian exports to Malaysia are worth over $1 billion, highlighted by metals, food, wine and education.

What the Australia Malaysia Business Council does is ensure that those connections are maintained economically and culturally. Many of us here in the chamber are well aware of the networking events conducted by the business council. I believe the last one they held was at Zagame, attended by the Hon. Catherine Hutchesson MP. These are fantastic in building the important connections between South Australia and Malaysia and the opportunities that come from trade and relationships.

Our cultural relationship with Malaysia is one that we take great pride in. Over the past 60 years we have also seen the Malaysian community flourish in our state. According to the 2021 census, there were 9,099 Malaysian-born people in South Australia. Our Malaysian community is a vibrant mix of ethnicities, languages and faiths that enhances the rich cultural and religious diversity of our state.

Every year the Australia Malaysia Business Council SA hosts the Merdeka gala dinner. The gala celebrates the national day, and is an opportunity to raise money for charities. One of the highlights of this annual dinner is the presentation of awards to international students from Malaysia to recognise their academic achievements while studying at universities in South Australia. International students are such important ambassadors for their country while they are here in South Australia, and I am so pleased to see that Malaysian students bring their energy, ambition and fresh perspectives to the excellent universities and TAFE campuses in our state. It is important that young people who are on their learning journey in a different country are recognised for their academic achievements.

I am also very pleased that the business council is a key member of the Multicultural Chamber of Commerce, which was brought back by the Malinauskas Labor government, but our thanks and congratulations go to the past and current executive team who have fostered this group to be such an influential and successful community organisation. Your time and effort have been immense. I particularly want to congratulate the current president, Evelyn Yap OAM. She is an incredible person in her own right, but her leadership of the business council is one that we all celebrate.

As this motion indicates, the organisation has been supported by very passionate patrons the Hon. Sir Eric Neal AC and the Hon. Hieu Van Le AC, both former governors. Their contributions to not just the objectives of the Australia Malaysia Business Council but the people-to-people links between South Australia and Malaysia has been widely felt in our state. Congratulations again on their 30^th anniversary.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (17:29): I would like to thank the Hon. Nicola Centofanti and the Hon. Justin Hanson for their contributions to support the congratulations motion for the 30^th anniversary of the Australia Malaysia Business Council, and also to highlight the significant bilateral relationships between Malaysia and Australia, and particularly South Australia. With those remarks, I commend the motion.

Motion carried.